School politics class: Starmer hopes to banish ‘battles of the past’ with EU reset deal

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Specification:

• Edexcel: Component 4.3: The aims, role and impact of the European Union (EU) on UK government

• AQA: Component 3.1.2.5: The European Union: the impact of the EU on UK politics and policymaking

Background: what you need to know

This article discusses the deal done by Prime Minister Keir Starmer with the EU, which he has hailed as a ‘reset’ of relations post-Brexit. Among the terms of the deal is an agreement to allow EU fishing boats access to UK waters for 12 years, in return for freer access to EU markets for UK food exports.

It also includes provision for closer defence co-operation and proposals for young people to travel and work in the EU. The deal has been criticised by the Conservatives and Reform UK as a ‘betrayal’ of Brexit. It seems unlikely that the divisions of the Brexit era will go away.

Click the link below to read the article and then answer the questions:

Starmer hopes to banish ‘battles of the past’ with EU reset deal

A useful summary of the agreement can be found here:

UK-EU post-Brexit reset: the key points

Question in the style of AQA Politics Paper 1

• Explain and analyse three ways in which withdrawal from the European Union has affected UK government and politics. [9 marks]

Question in the style of Edexcel Politics Paper 2

• Evaluate the view that withdrawal from the EU has had more negative consequences than positive ones for UK government and politics. 

  In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding of the study of Component 1: UK politics and core political ideas. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way. [30 marks] 

  TIP: A relevant Edexcel Component 1 topic could be Component 2: Political parties. You need to know about the foreign policy positions of the major UK parties. Reform UK would also be a good choice for the study of emerging and minor parties.

Graham Goodlad, Portsmouth High School