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Sir Keir Starmer today hailed a "hat-trick of deals" with the European Union, the United States, and India, declaring that the agreements signal Britain's triumphant return to the global stage. Speaking to the House of Commons, the Prime Minister championed the comprehensive nature of the new EU agreement, asserting it will "drive down bills, drive up jobs, and strengthen the UK’s borders."
The latest deal with the EU, finalized on Monday, promises tangible benefits for British citizens and businesses. UK tourists will now enjoy easier access to passport e-gates in Europe, while farmers and food producers are set to benefit from freed-up trade with the continent due to alignment on veterinary and plant standards. Beyond economic measures, the agreement also paves the way for closer collaboration on defence and security, and the establishment of a "youth experience scheme" facilitating travel and work for young British people on the continent. Notably, British burgers and sausages will once again be allowed into the EU, and certain routine checks on plant and animal products will be completely removed. The linking of UK and EU emissions-trading schemes will also shield British firms from Brussels’ carbon tax next year, and British steel exports will be protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, saving the industry an estimated £25 million. Furthermore, there is a commitment to work towards the UK associating with the Erasmus+ student exchange programme.
During his address, the Prime Minister emphasized the guiding principles of the negotiations: "Does it drive down bills? Does it drive up jobs? Does it strengthen our borders? And in each case, the answer is resoundingly ‘yes’." He lauded the trade deal with India, "the world’s fastest-growing economy," as a "huge boost for our whisky and gin distilleries," with the only concern now being production capacity.
However, the celebratory tone was met with fierce opposition from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused the Prime Minister of "selling out our sovereignty, our businesses, and the public." Ms. Badenoch’s sharpest criticism focused on the continued access of European trawlers to UK seas for a further 12 years, accusing the Prime Minister of "selling our fishermen down the river" and questioning if it was "because they don’t vote Labour?"
Environment Secretary Steve Reed, while defending the deal, conceded to the Commons Environment Committee that he "would’ve liked if we got more" for the fishing sector, acknowledging the negotiation involved compromises. He vehemently denied claims that fisheries were "traded off" for other areas, despite suggestions from Environment Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael that such a compromise was invited by their inclusion in the broader negotiations.
Sir Keir dismissed Ms. Badenoch’s accusations as "so unserious," asserting that none of the fishing rights previously negotiated by the Conservatives had been removed by his government's deal. He further underscored the broader economic impact, stating that supermarket workers were in the Government's "mind's eye" during the negotiations, and that the deal would "have a massive impact on reducing bills and the prices that people have to pay, and it will help jobs to thrive in businesses like this."
Ministers project the EU deal alone will boost the UK economy by £9 billion by 2040, underpinning the government's narrative of a resurgent Britain confidently navigating the global landscape.
