Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, finds himself in Paris today meeting Paralympic athletes. While this may seem like a pleasant diversion from the impending return of MPs next week, his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron is anything but trivial. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing questions surrounding the UK’s Brexit “reset” under Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The lighthearted aspect of Starmer’s visit involves his interaction with British Paralympic athletes, coaches, and staff. However, the true significance lies in his meeting with Macron later in the morning. Downing Street, however, is keen to downplay the event, avoiding grandiose announcements or media spectacles that accompanied Starmer’s meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz the day before.
Unlike the previous meeting, there are no treaties to announce or journalists trailing behind. No press conferences or pool clips are planned. This subdued approach indicates the delicate nature of the discussions at hand. The lack of pomp and circumstance suggests that the meeting may serve as a symbolic gesture rather than a significant shift in Brexit negotiations.
As Starmer engages in friendly conversations with Paralympic athletes and engages in political talks with Macron, only time will reveal whether this meeting marks a turning point in the UK’s relationship with the European Union or merely a fleeting moment in the grand theater of Brexit.