London needs culture to be at the heart of our EU reset
Academy of St Martin in the Fields (United Archives GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)
4 min read
London is a city built on culture and culture is built on connection
From ancient Roman walls that still trace the boundaries of the city to the Baroque music echoing through St Martin-in-the-Fields, our capital’s creative energy has always been fuelled by openness. It is no coincidence that some of our greatest cultural institutions, the Royal Opera House, the Barbican, Abbey Road Studios sit in the heart of the Cities of London and Westminster, a constituency I am proud to represent and one that has long stood as a gateway between Britain and Europe.
But in recent years, those gateways have narrowed. Brexit was a political rupture, its consequences were felt not only in committee and board rooms and on high streets but also in rehearsal studios, gallery workshops, and on tour buses stranded at the Channel. The botched Conservative deal turned what had once been seamless into struggle. Haulage restrictions, visa barriers, and complex customs rules have stifled the UK’s world-renowned creative industries. Musicians, 39 per cent of whom report having to turn down work in Europe since 2021, are among the hardest hit.
That’s why this new trade agreement with the EU is more than just a matter of economic policy. It is a cultural lifeline.
The creative sector is not a niche corner of our economy, it is a £124bn powerhouse, employing millions and driving soft power, tourism, and innovation. And within that, musical touring alone is a £2.3bn export industry. When orchestras like the Academy of St Martin in the Fields are blocked from touring in Europe, we don’t just lose performances; we lose outreach, education, and the future opportunities they fund across the UK.
I recently raised this in Parliament. The Academy, based in my constituency, reinvests European touring profits into mentoring young musicians, performing across the UK, and empowering those experiencing homelessness through music. Brexit has made this harder, not just for them, but for countless others trying to share British culture with the world. This deal must be the beginning of putting that right.
Our music, fashion, theatre, design are stronger when they travel
The case for culture is also a case for community. London’s creative identity has been built over centuries by migrants and makers from across the continent. Dutch eels at Billingsgate Market, French Huguenot silk weavers in Spitalfields, German musicians in Fitzrovia, Italian cafés in Soho – these aren’t just anecdotes, they are the foundation of London’s story. They are why families from Poland, Spain, Ireland, and Greece continue to call Westminster home and enrich our shared life with festivals, food, art, and faith.
We must not let the next generation lose this. A youth experience scheme would give young British creatives the chance to live, learn, and collaborate across Europe. Mutual recognition of qualifications would empower professionals from both sides of the Channel to exchange knowledge and skills freely, just as we did for decades before Brexit. This new agreement sets us back on a path to partnership, one that lowers costs for families, eases the burden on small businesses, and starts to fix the damage done to our cultural sector.
Britain may have left the EU, but we have not left Europe. We remain bound by history, heritage, and hope. Our music, fashion, theatre and design are stronger when they travel.
We cannot afford to see cultural diplomacy fall victim to ideological dogma. Instead, we must use this moment to argue not just for trade deals, but for a cultural deal with Europe, one that restores touring access, protects intellectual property, and promotes the vibrant exchange of ideas that has long-defined our capital.
Culture is not an afterthought. It is at the heart of who we are. And if we want a Britain that is confident, inclusive, and outward-looking, we must champion our artists not just at home but on every stage in Europe.
Rachel Blake is Labour and Co-operative MP for Cities of London and Westminster
