But Starmer also sees rapprochement with Berlin as a central element of his drive for closer ties with the EU. 10 Downing Street said Starmer would stress to the Chancellor that he was focused on moving beyond the 2016 Brexit vote and rebuilding relationships with key partners.
In a statement on the trip, the Prime Minister said: “We have a unique opportunity to reset our relationship with Europe and pursue real, ambitious partnerships that meet the needs of the British people.”
“We need to get to grips with Brexit and repair the frayed relationships left by the previous government. This work began last month at the European Political Community meeting and I am determined to continue it. That is why I am visiting Germany and France this week.
“Strengthening our relations with these countries is vital not only to address the global problem of illegal migration, but also to boost economic growth across the continent and especially in the UK – one of the most important tasks of my government.”
Starmer is promoting the need for closer ties as a way to improve the lives of “hard-working people,” as Downing Street puts it.
This is crucial because, although Brexit is far from universally popular in Britain, any suggestion that he is backtracking on the referendum result will provoke an outcry from Brexit supporters.
