Calmer under Starmer?

Labour’s landslide victory in the UK General Election on 4th July may not herald big changes for Brits on Lanzarote, but it does promise to bring a welcome period of stability after the chaos and uncertainty of recent years.

There will be no major changes on the main issue that has affected Brits abroad recently. Keir Starmer has repeatedly stated that his government will not seek re-entry to the EU, the customs union nor the single market, and that there will be no return to freedom of movement.

Instead, Labour’s manifesto pledges that “Labour will strengthen support for British nationals abroad. We will introduce a new right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations.” This is unlikely to affect many Spanish residents, but more general pledges to strengthen diplomacy, “work with our proud diaspora communities to enhance our cultural links” and “deepen ties with our European friends”, although vague, suggest a far more positive attitude than we’ve been used to recently.

This will also be made easier by the make-up of Starmer’s government. Unlike Conservative PMs, Keir Starmer’s back benches are not populated by rebellious MPs suspicious of any deals with Europe. There will be criticism from the British press, and vocal opposition from the Conservative and Reform parties, but support from his own side combined with a huge majority will allow Starmer to set the agenda.

Labour’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, will also inherit the work already in progress towards securing a bilateral agreement with Spain on issues such as Gibraltar and the rights of British and Spanish nationals abroad. This is likely to be assisted in the short term by the fact that Pedro Sánchez’s socialist-led coalition government currently rules Spain and received the news of Labour’s victory warmly.

BREXIT LEGACY

Brexit has undoubtedly been the Conservative policy that most affected Britons in Spain. Years of negotiating a withdrawal agreement led to agonising uncertainty as to the future rights of British nationals in Europe.

Following the UK’s official departure from the European Union on the 1st January, 2021, businesses that import and export goods to the UK were suddenly snowed under with new paperwork. Many British citizens who spend their winters in Spain (known as “swallows”) discovered that their stays were now limited to 90 days out of every 180. Drivers with UK licences were also forced off the road for over a year until an agreement to exchange UK documents for Spanish ones was renewed.

Finally, many younger Brits who wanted to live and work in Spain – just as many thousands have done since freedom of movement was introduced, and just as young Irish, Dutch and Italians are still doing today – have discovered that it is now far more difficult and expensive than ever before. It is this that is likely to be the most lasting effect on the British community in Spain.