Analysis
SMELLING FISHY
Starmer convinced us he was a born-again Brexiteer – but this rotten EU deal shows his true colours
From the details we have so far, it appears our PM has been stitched up like a soppy kipper
FOR years Sir Keir Starmer has tried to convince us he is a born-again Brexiteer, committed to grasping the opportunities leaving the EU has to offer.
A reputation as the die-hard Remainer who led Jeremy Corbyn’s charge to overturn the referendum was never going to wash with voters - so he shed that political skin.
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And now - when it comes to the crunch - the PM reveals his true colours in a deal that drags Britain back under Brussels’ clutches.
With the full details finally out in the open, we see that Labour's concessions had been plenty.
French trawlers will be able to plunder our fishing waters for 12 YEARS - a polict worse than even the harshest Starmer critic could have feared.
It appears our PM has been stitched up like a soppy kipper.
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What is in the new Brexit “surrender deal”
- FISHING FIASCO – NET LOSS FOR BRITAIN
We’ve handed over our fishing waters to EU fleets until 2038 – 12 years. This was supposed to be one of Brexit’s big wins – reclaiming control of our waters. Instead, it’s a slap in the face for the fishing industry, which was promised better days post-Brexit. - ERASMUS RETURNS – AT A COST
Britain’s back in the EU’s Erasmus student exchange scheme, which comes with hefty financial contributions. - EU RULES STILL IN CHARGE
Dynamic alignment means Britain has to follow EU rules on energy, food safety, and farming. This includes sticking to their regulations on things like pesticides and organics, even if we don’t agree. - EU COURTS RULE THE ROOST
The European Court of Justice will remain the ultimate authority on disputes involving EU law. Whether it’s about trade, carbon markets, or food standards, Britain’s judicial independence is undermined. - PAY UP, BRITAIN – THE BILL KEEPS ROLLING IN
From climate change agreements to food safety programmes, Britain will have to make financial contributions to take part in EU schemes. - BORDER TROUBLES – MIGRATION MESS CONTINUES
The deal talks about tackling irregular migration, but there’s no concrete plan to stop dangerous Channel crossings. While there’s mention of cooperation with EU agencies like Frontex, people smuggling and illegal crossings remain huge issues. - NO SEAT AT THE TABLE – FOLLOW THE RULES, BUT NO SAY
Britain will be consulted on EU policy-making but won’t get a real seat at the table. We’ll have to follow rules on things like farming and carbon markets, but won’t have any meaningful power to shape them. - TIED TO EU GREEN TARGETS – CLIMATE CONTROL
Britain’s climate policies will have to align with EU carbon market rules, including emissions trading and environmental ambitions. While the UK has its own climate goals, this deal limits our ability to set independent targets.
Reclaiming sovereignty of our rich coastline was a totemic issue of the 2016 referendum, but also a necessity for many fishing companies to simply stay afloat.
As they head out on their boats this morning, many will rightly feel betrayed.
Ministers are even so out-of-touch they think the industry can be bought off with a £360million "coastal community fund” - fat chance of that.
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And that is before other sellouts: more taxpayer cash going to Brussels, more migrants pouring in under an EU Youth Mobility Scheme, and oversight of European judges.
That last one - the harmless sounding “dynamic alignment” on food standards - will really stick in the craw of the 17.4million who backed Brexit because it binds us to ever-changing Brussels’ rules over which we have no say.
Keir insists he’s NOT been ‘stitched up’ by Brussels despite Brexit betrayal seeing UK PAY to go back into EU courts
In the grand trappings of London’s Lancaster House, Sir Keir will today inevitably parade his deal as a win for Britain.
He says he does not want to reopen the political rows of the past and instead look forward.
But with this deal, he not only opens old wounds, but is drawing new battle lines.
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