In a lively Commons session, Prime Minister Keir Starmer didn’t miss his chance to publicly roast Nigel Farage by highlighting the fact that he wasn’t even there. Starmer called out the Reform UK figurehead, who had loudly branded the new UK-EU deal a “betrayal of Brexit”, only to be nowhere in sight when the Prime Minister delivered his statement on the agreement.
The PM didn’t hold back, accusing Farage and his party of simply not caring, using the no-show as ammunition in a broader takedown of opposition voices. He also trained his fire on Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and the Lib Dems’ Ed Davey, both of whom criticised the agreement but offered little in the way of real alternatives, reported the Mirror.
Kemi Badenoch had earlier slammed the government’s approach to trade deals with the US, India and the EU, labelling them “own goals”. Meanwhile, Sir Ed Davey claimed the UK could have struck a deal “ten times greater” with more ambition. But Starmer hit back, saying that recent deals proved Britain was firmly “back on the world stage”.
In a punchy defence of his government, Starmer told MPs: “This Government can and this Government will, because we stay in the room, we fight for the national interest, and we put the British people first.” He said opposition leaders were more focused on “striking a pose” than striking deals, adding that they “don’t get to deliver for Britain”.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came as details of the revamped EU agreement were laid out, including a number of perks for UK travellers and businesses. British holidaymakers are set to regain access to EU e-gates, and a long-standing ban on chilled meat exports like burgers and sausages will be lifted. Pet passports are also making a comeback, meaning cats and dogs can travel to the EU without needing new health certificates every time.
There’s more – supermarket prices could benefit too, with plans to ease checks on animal and plant products. No. 10 says the deal could give the economy a £9 billion boost by 2040, and opens the door for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme, alongside a new youth mobility plan.
But not everyone’s cheering. Critics – including Farage and Badenoch – slammed the deal even before it was unveiled, especially over the issue of fishing. Under the new terms, European boats will still be allowed to fish in British waters for another 12 years, prompting claims the PM had surrendered to Brussels.
Labour, though, said the Tories have a cheek complaining, pointing out it was Boris Johnson’s 2020 deal that originally gave up those fishing rights – and that deal was due to expire next year anyway.
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