Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has warned that Keir Starmer's EU reset takes the UK "backwards" and will make it "harder" for Britain to make a free trade deal with the US.
Labour's deal has sparked outrage from political opponents after appearing to overlook concerns expressed by the British fishing industry, with fears of devastating results on Britain's coastal communities.
Speaking on Keir Starmer, the Tory leader said: "He's the one taking us backwards, we left the European Union, that was settled, we drew a line that.
She later added: "This deal makes it much harder to make a trade agreement with the US. We do not have a trade agreement with the US. We have a small tariff deal, something that we've done many times before.
"There is nothing historic about it. We want to talk about the future, this deal is taking us to the past and that is why we call it a surrender."
The Prime Minister claimed that the agreement is a "win-win" between the UK and Europe despite the mounting backlash from across the political spectrum.
Addressing journalists earlier today, Starmer said: "Britain is back on the world stage. Working with our partners, doing deals that will grow our economy and putting more money in the pockets of working people.
"In the last two weeks alone, we've delivered trade deals with India and the US. And that means jobs saved, jobs created, more growth. And a huge vote of confidence in our country."
Where you at, @Nigel_Farage ? pic.twitter.com/OS9hJk0hLN
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) May 19, 2025
Priti Patel has taken aim at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's "appalling surrender deal" with the EU, following his announcement today.
Speaking to GB News, Patel launched a scathing attack on the Labour leader's "outrageous" agreement with Brussels, claiming the Government are "bending the knee" to Europe.
Hitting out at the deal, Patel fumed: "It's not just one, there are surrender documents after surrender documents that Keir Starmer and his appalling Government have just signed us up to."
Sadiq Khan has expressed he is "delighted" with the deal the Government has made with the European Union, claiming it will "undo some of the damage" Brexit has caused on the economy.
The Mayor of London took to X to Labour's agreement for a more "secure and prosperous future".
Despite the 2016 referendum, which saw 52 per cent of the UK wanting to part ways with the EU, Khan blamed Brexit for the problems facing the UK.
He wrote: Brexit has dragged our economy down and pushed up the cost of living, but this deal will undo some of the damage it has caused."
Sir Keir Starmer's Youth Mobility Scheme has been backed by young Britons, who told GB News that the plans are a "great idea."
Announcing his new UK-EU deal at a summit in London, the Labour leader unveiled the scheme allowing 18 to 30-year-olds to work and travel between the UK and EU.
The scheme mirrors existing youth mobility arrangements the UK has with countries like Australia and New Zealand, which allow young people to live and work in the UK for up to two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.
Yvette Cooper speaking in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon
GB News
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has introduced proposals for new laws to crack down on "state threats".
The UK has summoned Iran's ambassador this morning following three Iranian nationals being charged with spying offences on behalf of Middle-eastern nation over the weekend.
She says a review into security has found that the current counterterror laws were unsuitable for dealing with state-backed actors.
Referencing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Cooper promised that the new laws will be "stronger than current national security powers in allowing us to restrict the activity and operations of foreign state-backed organisations in the UK, including new criminal offences for individuals who invite support for, or promote the group in question".
Politics LIVE: ‘It’s a win-win!' Keir Starmer sparks Brexit backlash after hailing ‘surrender’ agreement with EUSir Keir Starmer's claims of securing a "win-win" EU reset deal have sparked a Brexit backlash just moments after the Prime Minister hailed his agreement at Lancaster House.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was among the leading Brexiteers to fume about the Prime Minister's accord.
He said: "If true that will be the end of the fishing industry."
Ex-Brexit Opportunities Minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg added: "The white flag is flying over Downing Street today as Sir Keir Starmer signs the document of unconditional surrender to the European Union."
Kemi Badenoch has slammed the deal, claiming fishing rights and arifood with the European Union puts it in a “worse position than the Faroe Islands”.
She told journalists: “It is staggering that on fisheries, Britain is now in a worse position than the Faroe Islands, and on agri food, we’re in a weaker position than New Zealand, who got SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) concessions without being a rule taker or paying money”.
She added: “This deal will mean Britain becoming a rule taker, accepting dynamic alignment, giving up fishing rights, and paying new money to the EU.”
Boris Johnson has joined Brexiteers in voicing his anger about Sir Keir Starmer's "total sell out" deal with Brussels and warned the UK risks becoming the "gimp of Brussels".
The former Prime Minister, who was one of the main architect of the Vote Leave campaign in 2016, told GB News: "I think it's a complete and deliberate betrayal of Brexit and it goes against what the Prime Minister said he was going to do at the election in 2024."
The chair of the Shetland Fishermen’s Association, criticised today's announcement, saying they still will be forced to "give up their grounds."
James Anderson said: "The fact is that we are sadly not like Iceland, or Norway, or a country that still recognises the value of protecting our own fishing fleet and fishing grounds.
"Normally, nations negotiate fishing access and quota transfers on an annual basis.
"Overnight, the EU has been allowed to renege on annual negotiations and instead enjoy a 12 year deal, with UK fishing crews forced to give up their grounds and fish stocks again in exchange for what?
"This, unfortunately, is how our industry, which has so much more to offer – has been treated by successive governments.
"Fishing communities such as Shetland will remain hopeful that, one day, the UK will find its feet as an independent coastal state and finally conduct ourselves as such, denying EU vessels access to our productive seas without first paying for the privilege."
GB News’s Political Editor Christopher Hope put it to Keir Starmer that he has been “stitched up like a kipper” by the EU.
The Prime Minister spoke to journalists after unveiling the terms of his post-Brexit ‘reset’ with the bloc.
He declared “Britain is back on the world stage” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a “historic moment”.
Britons fear measures like a rekindled youth mobility scheme and EU access to UK waters represents significant concessions to the bloc.
The Prime Minister said the cap on how many people will be able to take part in the youth experience scheme with the EU will be agreed later.
Sir Keir Starmer said: "Obviously, this gives opportunity for young people in the UK to work, travel, volunteer, au pair, you name it in Europe, and the same the other way.
He added: "It is time limited, the numbers to be agreed to come on the capped scheme, and it will be a visa scheme."
Ursula von der Leyen said today's deal with the EU represented something that would benefit "both sides of the Channel."
The European Commission chief said: "We are sovereign neighbours, we are friends, we are allies and this is a new beginning for old friends.
"In this spirit we have designed the roadmap we are working on together and I think it shows that we are working towards a friendly cooperation that is of benefit for both sides of the Channel."
Kier Starmer speaks during a press conference at the UK-EU summit at Lancaster House
Reuters
The Prime Minister has rejected the allegation that today's deal heralded "the worst of all possible worlds."
Speaking at the press conference in Lancaster House, Starmer said the deal was the result of "serious, pragmatic negotiations that are good for this country."
He added that Britons would see a "real difference" and it will be "very good for our country."
Ursula von der Leyen has stressed the EU will continue to push the UK to accept a Youth Mobility scheme.
Speaking at Lancaster House, the European Commission chief said London and Brussels will “work towards a youth experience scheme” to allow young people from the two sides to live and work abroad.
A new deal agreed by Starmer will be 'good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders'PA IMAGESThe key details of the UK’s EU reset deal have been revealed just hours after Sir Keir Starmer was accused of “selling out” Britain’s fishing industry.
Starmer has secured new arrangements with Brussels on a number of issues, including defence and migration.
The Prime Minister has raked up three major deals since entering No10, with the US and India already unveiling their arrangements in the past few weeks.
However, Starmer appears to have hailed his efforts to rewrite the UK’s relationship with the EU, vowing to move beyond the Brexit debate.
Speaking at the UK-EU Summit at Lancaster House, the Prime Minister said: “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.
“We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home.
“So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation.
“Building the relationships we choose, with the partners we choose, and closing deals in the national interest. Because that is what independent, sovereign nations do.”
A Scarborough fisherman has launched a scathing attack on the UK's new fishing deal with the EU, claiming Brexit has failed to deliver on promises to regain control of British waters.
Danny Normandale told GB News that Scarborough's once-thriving fishing industry has been decimated in recent years.
"In the time I've been a fisherman from Scarborough, we used to have a big, big fishing fleet in Scarborough, you could go from one side of the harbour to the other without getting your feet wet," he said.
"You look at it now and there's absolutely no trawlers left in Scarborough. The last one was sold about two years ago."
Watch as Keir Starmer and David Lammy are harangued as they arrive at the UK-EU summit by GB News’s Political Editor Christopher Hope.
The Government is set to announce a major deal with the bloc that many claim will ‘reset’ relations and see Britain make major concessions on fishing.
Labour’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds argued on the People’s Channel that the deal’s ends justify the means as it will be easier to sell products like sausages, mince and beef to EU nations.
As the Prime Minister arrives at the summit, he is met by Chopper who calls out “have you sold out the fishermen?” three times.
Sir Keir Starmer decision to hand European trawlerman access to Britain's coastal waters for another 12 years is a "horror show", the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation has said.
In a stinging assessment of the deal between the UK and EU, Elspeth MacDonald warned: “This deal is a horror show for Scottish fishermen, far worse than Boris Johnson’s botched Brexit agreement.
“It is clear that Sir Keir Starmer made the whole deal on the backs of our fishermen and coastal communities, granting EU vessels 12 years of continuous access to UK waters at the last minute in order secure other objectives.
“This highlights the total indifference of the British political establishment to the interests of our fishing sector, with Sir Keir becoming the third Prime minister after Edward Heath and Johnson to betray the industry.
“Any attempt by either the UK or EU to portray the new deal as a continuation of existing arrangements would be a lie, because in fact the Trade and Co-operation Agreement paved the way for annual access negotiations from 2026.
“At the weekend, Sir Keir said the deal would be measured against how much it would improve job prospects and allow our communities to flourish.
“Giving away a national asset such as our rich and healthy fishing grounds for no discernible benefit not only fails both of these tests, but is a disgrace that will ensure the enmity of this proud industry for many years to come.”
Ursula von der Leyen
GETTY
David Lammy
GETTY
Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives to attend the UK-EU Summit at Lancaster House in London
GETTY
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has demanded the UK pursue an even closer deal with the EU.
Following reports of an agreement this morning, Davey said: “These seem to be some positive first steps in rebuilding our relationship with Europe after years of a Conservative Party that wrecked trust and broke our relationship with our closest allies.
“The Prime Minister must ignore the naysayers and dinosaurs in Reform and the Conservative Party and be more ambitious in getting the best deal in the national interest.”
Nigel Farage holds a fish as he visits a fish processing factory in Grimsby Fishing village as part of a media event during the Brexit Party general election campaign tour on November 14, 2019
GETTY
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has delivered a damning verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's "sell out" Brexit reset.
In a hammer blow to Britain's fishing industry, the Clacton MP said: "If true that will be the end of the fishing industry."
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has claimed the UK's "reset" agreement with the EU is a "solid 8/10".
Despite Sir Keir Starmer facing criticism about a reported 12-year deal for EU trawlermen, Reynolds defended the accord.
Speaking to GB News Breakfast, Reynolds said: "This is a solid eight, I don't want to get hyperbolic about these things but this is a good deal for borders, bills for security in the UK and for jobs.
"I want to be clear. This is not about revisiting arguments about Brexit. It's about improving the terms of trade that I think everyone can get behind."
Ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman has delivered her damning verdict on the UK's expected "reset" deal with the European Union.
She said: "This deal is a surrender. The Government has let down our fishing community.
"This capitulation is unforgivable for our coastal communities and fishermen. The British people won’t forget this. The beginning of the end for Brexit."
Reform MP Richard Tice says he is expecting a “full on surrender” to the EU at today’s post-Brexit summit.
Keir Starmer is aiming to secure a new deal between the UK and the EU, but Tice fears he will cave on “three big, critical issues”.
He explained: “It looks like they are going to surrender on reintroducing freedom of movement. They rebadged it as youth mobility which sounds nice and cuddly but in reality, if it’s 18-30 or 35 year-olds, that was the bulk of the freedom of movement that the British people voted against in 2016 and then just a few weeks ago expressed a clear view against mass immigration by voting in huge numbers for Reform UK.
“Last week, the Prime Minister said he was going to reduce immigration, not if you surrender to more freedom of movement.
“The second big surrender is becoming a rule-taker under dynamic alignment, we will have to accept all EU regulations. We don’t want that. We want to reduce the regulations. We want to be able to reduce the cost of business and living, that would be complete foolishness.
“The third surrender is on the very important issue to my constituents in Boston & Skegness of fishing, we want to get back control of our fishing waters."
Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen
PA
Sir Keir Starmer has hinted at the UK establishing a new relationship with the European Union ahead of today's cross-Channel summit.
In a post on social media, the Prime Minister said: "It’s time to look forward — to move on from the stale old political fights and to find common sense, practical solutions that improve the lives of British people.
"Secure borders. Cheaper bills. More jobs. We will close a deal in the national interest."
A major "breakthrough" has been made in UK-EU reset talks ahead of today's meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen.
The meeting, nicknamed the "Surrender Summit" by Brexiteers, is expected to include a new arrangement between London and Brussels.
Downing Street sources said: “Negotiations are going down to the wire and a deal is not yet done … conversations will continue overnight.”
The agreement would reportedly grant the EU a long-term deal on fish accessGettyThe European Union has ambushed Sir Keir Starmer's Brexit "reset" talks with a last-gasp demand for the UK to "sacrifice" its fishing waters.
Brussels bureaucrats, led by France, had called for a roll-over of the current five-year deal to ensure European trawlermen maintained access to Britain's coastal waters.
However, in a last-ditch attempt to expand its catch, the EU is reportedly demanding its accord lasts up to a decade.
In return, Brussels has suggested it will list its existing post-Brexit checks on lorry loads of food and animal products being exported from Britain to the continent.
