(VIP-NEWS) — The European Union has ruled out offering new concessions to ease the process for British artists touring in Europe, citing the need for substantial changes to existing EU regulations.
This decision is a significant blow to the UK’s Labour government, which had made a manifesto pledge to prioritize the removal of barriers facing UK performers post-Brexit.
Ahead of this year’s General Election, Labour promised to address the difficulties British musicians and performers now face when touring the EU, including new travel permits, carnets, and restrictions on merchandise sales.
However, according to internal EU documents seen by the Financial Times, officials say that any deal would require rewriting the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, as well as changes to EU customs, road haulage, and services rules. The European Commission has made it clear it is not prepared to make such changes.
The news complicates Labour’s strategy to improve relations with the EU, particularly on trade and mobility. While the Labour government has expressed optimism about securing better terms for British artists, EU insiders warn that progress on this front may be limited unless the UK is willing to make compromises in other areas. One such proposal, a youth mobility scheme allowing EU and UK citizens under 30 to work and travel in each other`s territories, was recently dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Paul Adamson of the EU-UK Forum suggested that Labour could still achieve some of its goals if willing to compromise. He noted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen might be open to negotiations, given her previous willingness to make deals. However, any significant new agreement with the EU could risk backlash from voters who remain wary of any reversal of Brexit policies, including some Labour supporters.
Since Brexit, British artists have struggled with new bureaucracy, including differing requirements in each EU country for travel and touring. Despite ongoing talks and some minor improvements, many challenges remain, and hopes for a significant breakthrough under Labour appear to be fading. Both the UK government and the EU are expected to maintain firm positions as formal negotiations approach later this year, though some experts believe compromises may emerge as talks progress.
The Labour government now faces a difficult balancing act: seeking to deliver on its promise to help UK artists while managing political sensitivities surrounding any deeper cooperation with the EU.
