Prime Minister provokes widespread outrage for ‘selling out’ British fishing industry
GB News’ Christopher Hope quizzes Starmer on Brexit ‘reset’ deal
Sir Keir Starmer was accused of being “stitched up like a kipper” after unveiling details of his Brexit surrender to the EU. The Prime Minister has provoked widespread fury over huge concessions to get his “reset” deal over the line.
Sir Keir declared that “Britain is back on the world stage” as he held a joint press conference with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at a summit in London. He wishfully claimed the agreement was a “win-win” which would bring down food prices and revive exports. However, there are already massive concerns over the price the UK has paid in return for smoother trade.
Boris Johnson holds a kipper to highlight EU red tape during the Brexit battles of 2019 (Image: Getty Images)
EU fishing boats will be guaranteed access to UK waters on the current terms for 12 years – three times longer than the four years Sir Keir originally offered.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned the deal could push the British fishing industry towards extinction.
“That will be the end of the fishing industry,” he said.
Sir Keir has also signed the UK up in principle to a “youth experience” arrangement, giving millions of Europeans rights to live, study and work here for up to three years.
Officials stressed it would be “capped and time-limited”. They argued it would not compromise the Government’s crackdown on immigration.
In return, the deal would mean checks on lorries taking food to the continent being lifted permanently, ending the so-called “sausage wars”.
That is supposed to boost the economy by £9billion by 2040.
However, the UK will have to accept “dynamic alignment” with Brussels rules in the sector. The details also reveal that Britain will need to make “an appropriate financial contribution” to the EU’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary systems.
Defence firms will gain access to a £126billion EU-wide weapons fund, although British taxpayers face having to pay millions for the privilege.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Twelve years’ access to British waters is three times longer than the Government wanted.
“We’re becoming a rule-taker from Brussels once again.
“And with no details on any cap or time limits on youth mobility, fears of free movement returning will only increase.
“This is very concerning.”
But there are some small positives.
British tourists will be spared queues when travelling to the continent, with permission to use e-gates at European airports –although Sir Keir acknowledged that implementation would be down to individual EU countries.
Red tape on taking pets abroad will also be eased.
The Prime Minister said: “This is the first UK-EU summit. It marks a new era in our relationship.
“And this deal is a win-win. It delivers what the British public voted for last year.
“It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country outside of the EU or EFTA, all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto about not rejoining the single market, the customs union and no return to freedom of movement.”
EFTA is the European Free Trade Association.
Asked if he had been “stitched up like a kipper” over the deal, Sir Keir added: “The deal will bring down and reduce bills.”
Ms von der Leyen said it was a “historic moment”.
Speaking alongside Sir Keir at the Lancaster House summit, she said: “We are turning a page. We are opening a new chapter in our unique relationship.”
It was a story of “natural partners standing side-by-side on the global stage”, she said.
Most Popular Comments
2 hours ago17
“Starmer says our fishing men find it hard to sell fish to the EU , So what does he do let the EU catch our fish . Total betrayal “
2 hours ago15
““British tourists will be spared queues when travelling to the continent, with …”
1 hour ago15
“All the voters have to rember at the next election the labour party sold this country …”