Newscast Are Britain's 'Brexit Years’ Over?
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Feb 15, 2026 Joe Pike, BBC correspondent who covers political and international affairs, joins to analyse shifting UK‑Europe relations. He discusses Keir Starmer’s Munich remarks and whether Britain has moved on from its Brexit years. Conversations cover practical limits of defence cooperation, fallout from Labour‑linked PR investigations, and Dr Hilary Cass’s review on youth gender services.
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Starmer Reframes Britain’s Post‑Brexit Role
- Keir Starmer framed Britain as no longer in the 'Brexit years' to signal closer cooperation with Europe on defence and politics.
- This messaging aims to reassure European partners while reshaping domestic political narrative.
Closer EU Ties Carry Domestic Risks
- Advocating closer EU ties risks attacks from rivals who will claim Labour is 'giving back control' post‑Brexit.
- Starmer must balance international signalling with domestic political vulnerability.
Defence Cooperation Is Both Practical And Political
- The UK already conducts substantial joint defence work, especially with France, and new initiatives are extensions of existing cooperation.
- Starmer’s push is political as much as practical, using security to project statesmanlike leadership.