Brussels is ramping up pressure on Britain to "supercharge" itspost-Brexit reset, timing demands to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the UK's vote to leave theEuropean Union. Senior EU figures and reports accuse London of dragging its feet, warning that without bolder action, both sides risk squandering opportunities in a volatile world.

As the landmark date approaches, MEPs and think tanks are pushing for accelerated ties in trade, security, and mobility, framing the call as an ultimatum to overcome lingeringBrexitmistrust. French MEP Sandro Gozi, co-chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, urged the UK Government to recognise the EU as Britain's "closest ally" amid a transformed geopolitical landscape, according toEU Reporter.

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Mr Gozi said: "Progress has been too slow. The EU-UK reset must now be supercharged. Engagement, based on respect of the Union's principles, should be broadened and accelerated ahead of this summer's EU-UK Summit."

Irish MEP Barry Cowen echoed the sentiment, calling for a reset "commensurate with the scale of the challenges we face as Europeans." He highlighted public sentiment in Britain, noting: "Ten years after the Brexit decision, British people now want a closer relationship, so it is time to supercharge the reset."

The demands come against a backdrop of patchy progress since Labour's 2024 election victory, which promised to mend fences without rejoining the single market or customs union. Recent wins include Britain's return to the Erasmus student exchange and Horizon research programmes, but key areas like veterinary agreements and youth mobility remain stalled.

A joint policy brief from the Centre for European Reform and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung questions whether 2026 will be the year to "reset the reset." Author Ian Bond argued for a "fundamental rethink" to boost security and prosperity, criticising mutual distrust. Mr Bond said: "In turbulent times, the EU and the UK would both benefit from overcoming the lack of trust that the Brexit process engendered."

Former British MEPs have piled on, with ex-vice president Edward McMillan-Scott citing YouGov polls showing 54% of Britons favour closer EU ties, against 34% opposed. He added: "Remember, 58% say Britain was wrong to leave the EU."

Pat Cox, a former European Parliament president, invoked economist John Maynard Keynes: "When the facts change, I change my mind." He stressed dramatic shifts since 2016, includingRussia's war inUkraineand US trade aggression underDonald Trump.

Source: Daily Express :: World Feed