Starmer steps up post-Brexit reset with EU relations ‘sherpa’ recruitment

SIR Keir Starmer the “sherpa” hunt began to guide its post-Brexit reset with the European Union before Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

The prime minister it is stepping up efforts to restore ties with Brusselsrecruiting a second permanent secretary within Cabinet Office focused primarily on the UK’s relationship with eu.

A job advert posted on Friday evening said the £200,000-a-year “profile” role would lead to a renewed government relationship with the bloc.

The winning applicant will face “significant public scrutiny and political attention,” the post warns.

The recruitment of an EU sherpa, a personal and senior representative of the prime minister at international summits and engagements, comes just weeks before Trump’s inauguration.

His recovery represents a significant challenge for Sir Keir, with the incoming administration leaving Britain at a crossroads between alignment with the EU or the US.

Stephen Moore, who advises Mr. Trump as he prepares for office, he said the UK “must choose” between The economic models of the European Union and the USA.

Sir Keir’s appointment of a new post-Brexit supreme is the latest sign he is serious about rebuilding bridges with Europe after years of shaky relations under the Tories.

The main responsibility of the role is to report to the Prime Minister and Minister for EU Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, on the ‘EU reset’ and international economic issues.

The second permanent secretary will also oversee the development of UK-EU trade, including the renewal of the existing trade and cooperation agreement between the UK and Brussels, which will take place next year.

It will mean taking responsibility for questions such as whether Britain will strike a vet deal with the bloc to cut red tape for exporters.

They will have 100 staff at their disposal, including the Secretariat for intergovernmental EU relations.

James MacCleary, the Lib Dem Europe spokesman, said it was “vital to repair our broken relationship with the EU”.

“It is positive to see the government looking to repair our broken relationship with the EU. It is imperative that we strengthen trade ties with our European allies,” he added.

The urgency of Sir Keir’s post-Brexit reset was heightened last week when Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned of the ongoing economic consequences of Britain leaving Europe.

Speaking at the annual Mansion House dinner in the City of London, Mr Bailey said Brexit “weighed” the economyadding that “we must be careful and welcome opportunities to restore relations, while respecting the decision of the British people”.

Last month, Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq warned that 60% of the impact of Brexit is yet to materialize One the damning assessment of Great Britain’s exit from the European Union.

Reacting to the job announcement, Dr. Mike Galsworthy, chairman of European Movement UK, said: “Everyone knows that the last government got the negotiations with the EU wrong, leaving many pieces missing.

“So it is good that this government is positively re-engaging.

“However, I hope that this new ‘sherpa’ is actually allowed to go somewhere, rather than being held back at base camp by a government anxious to reset its relationship with its closest trading partner, but also anxious to don’t be seen walking. so.”

Naomi Smith, chief executive of campaign group Best for Britain, said: “Brexit red tape continues to hamper British business and with only more global economic turmoil on the horizon, securing a better trade deal with our biggest market and our closest allies never did. was more important or more urgent.

“It is only right that the Government should look for an experienced hand to deliver this objective and the outcomes that will make the biggest difference, such as beneficial regulatory alignment and a youth mobility scheme.”