Keir Starmer has praised a new UK-EU deal, but it’s already sparked fierce criticism, particularly from fishing communities. The prime minister hailed the agreement, saying it would lower prices and add £9 billion to the UK economy. However, opponents accuse him of sacrificing British fishermen to please Brussels.
🔄 Looking Forward, Not Backwards
After six months of tough negotiations, the deal was sealed late on Sunday night. Starmer emphasised it’s time to move beyond the Brexit battles. He said the agreement would remove trade barriers, making it easier for British food and drink to be sold to Europe. A new security partnership will also allow the UK defence industry to bid for billions of pounds in contracts.
🌍 Benefits for Britons
British holidaymakers will now be able to use e-gates at European airports. Plus, a youth mobility scheme will allow 18 to 30-year-olds to live and work in Europe with fewer restrictions. However, the number of people coming to the UK will be capped and time-limited, as the government seeks to control immigration.
💬 Starmer’s Optimistic Tone
Starmer was upbeat about the deal. “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights,” he said. “This deal is about practical solutions that improve lives here at home.”
He went on to say, “We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives… building relationships we choose, with the partners we choose, and closing deals in the national interest.”
🦑 A ‘Horror Show’ for Fishermen
However, Starmer has come under fire over the deal’s fishing rights provisions. Under the agreement, European fishermen will have access to British waters until 2038 — far longer than expected.
Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, blasted the deal as a “horror show” for Scottish fishermen. “It’s clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen,” she said, accusing him of granting EU vessels 12 more years of access to UK waters to secure other aspects of the deal.
⚖️ Criticism from Labour’s Own Ranks
Even within his own party, the deal is facing criticism. Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins criticised Starmer’s approach, saying, “Fishermen across our coastal communities are waking up to reports that Labour are handing the EU access to British waters for 12 years. That’s far worse than we anticipated.”
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