London (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UK PM Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Michael Ellam to lead his reset negotiations with the European Union.
An ex-adviser to UK former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mr Ellam will quit his position at the bank HSBC to become the Cabinet Office’s second permanent secretary of European Union and International Economic Affairs. Michael Ellam, who operated under Brown in No 10 from 2007-2009, has been given the newly formed role of “second permanent secretary, EU and international economic affairs”.
What objectives will Ellam lead in EU negotiations?
As reported by British media, operating in the Cabinet Office, Ellam will be charged with leading PM Keir Starmer’s promise to reset ties with the European Union. The UK Government stated he would lead “official-level talks with the EU and in international summits such as the G7 and G20 to back the UK’s economic development and national security”, as well as the recently formed EU Relations Secretariat in the Cabinet Office.
In his remarks, Ellam stated,
“I am thrilled to take on the position as the second permanent secretary, of European Union and international economic affairs and return to the civil service after more than a decade in the private sector.
“I look forward to working with the Prime Minister, the Minister for EU Relations, and others in order to bring home the objectives of the government regarding this significant agenda.”
What is the UK’s reset strategy with the European Union?
The “reset” of the United Kingdom’s relations with the European Union has been pursued quite vigorously by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as part of his agenda since Brexit. As part of this effort, he has created a whole new position, filling the Second Permanent Secretary for European Union and International Economic Affairs with Michael Ellam. The reset strategy includes an informal summit with EU leaders in February 2025, the first since Brexit negotiations ended. The government wants to strengthen alliances without reverting to previous arrangements such as the single market or customs union.
