The European Union recently proposed a deal to make it easier for young Europeans and Britons to live, work and travel between the EU and the UK.
However, the British authorities rejected this offer, depriving their nationals of a unique opportunity for personal and professional enrichment within the bloc.
Strengthening cultural and professional ties between the two regions
The main purpose of this proposal was tooffer young people aged 18 to 30 the chance to spend up to 4 years in their destination countryWhether to work, study or simply discover new cultures. The European Commission believes that the agreements already in place between the UK and other countries such as New Zealand are beneficial to both citizens and local economies.
A program to support education and research
The agreement could also have facilitated exchanges of students and researchers between UK universities and those in the rest of Europe. At present, tuition fees vary between £11,400 and £38,000 a year, representing a major barrier to European students wishing to pursue their studies in the UK.
- Tuition fees could be reduced thanks to this agreement
- A wider range of education and research opportunities for young people in both regions
- British talent would be valued in the common market
The British government's refusal
Despite these arguments in favor of the agreement, the UK ultimately decided not to participate. The main reason given was the desire to respect the decision of British citizens in the vote on the Brexit To end the free movement of people between the UK and the EU.
A position supported by the main political parties
Both the ruling Conservative party and the Labour opposition have rejected this proposal. They prefer to seek to improve relations with the European Union within the framework defined by the agreements in force since leaving the bloc.
Criticism from academic and political circles
Anand MenonProfessor of European Politics, criticized the two main political parties for failing to understand the difference between the free movement of people and a limited youth mobility scheme requiring visas. In his view, the sudden opposition to the proposal could be due to the risk of bilateral agreements between the UK and certain European countries tempted by a Eurosceptic stance.
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