Starmer’s EU Reset Sparks Brexit Backlash as Critics Reignite Old Battles
The United Kingdom’s renewed engagement with the European Union under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reignited fierce political debate reminiscent of the height of the Brexit era. Even before any formal deal was announced, prominent Brexit supporters were already criticizing the direction of talks — a sign that the scars from the 2016 referendum remain far from healed.
Negotiations between the UK and EU followed the familiar path of brinkmanship and compromise, culminating in a draft agreement that includes cooperation on defence, energy, fisheries, and a scaled-down youth mobility programme. But long before the details emerged, figures like Lord Daniel Hannan and Lord David Frost had launched into attacks, portraying the talks as a betrayal of Brexit ideals.
Lord Hannan compared Britain’s position to subjugation, making a bizarre reference to the UK being Europe’s “gimp.” Meanwhile, Lord Frost continued his long-running attempt to distance himself from the very Brexit deal he once helped negotiate. Critics noted the irony: key architects of Brexit are now among its loudest detractors, despite having previously celebrated its outcomes.
The renewed UK-EU cooperation has been framed by Starmer as a pragmatic move to repair economic damage and restore international credibility — not a reversal of Brexit, but a reset. “This is not about rejoining the single market or customs union,” Starmer emphasized at a Lancaster House press conference alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. “It’s about creating jobs, boosting trade, and ensuring growth.”
Von der Leyen praised the new agreements as the beginning of a “new chapter” in UK-EU relations, highlighting shared interests in areas like food, energy, and security. Costa struck a more subdued tone, delivering a speech that observers described as deliberately uncontroversial.
Still, many Brexit hardliners remained unconvinced. Accusations of “selling out” British fishers and accepting EU rules were prevalent in right-wing media. GB News framed the deal as a capitulation, questioning whether Starmer had made the UK a “rule-taker.” However, analysts noted that the same critics had previously supported trade deals with similar dynamics — but without the EU label.
While the Conservative Party attempted to respond, their efforts appeared disjointed. Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch called an underwhelming press conference in a small room with poor audio quality, declaring Starmer had violated her self-declared “five golden rules” — a message that failed to gain traction even among Tory MPs. Priti Patel’s contribution was largely inaudible, and Victoria Atkins’ speech — featuring a bizarre anecdote involving a talking fish named “Harry the Hake” — underscored the surreal nature of the day.
Despite the backlash, recent polls suggest most Brexit voters now believe Brexit has not delivered on its promises. Many simply want practical improvements without a reopening of ideological wounds. Starmer’s approach reflects this sentiment: incremental progress without reigniting the full fury of the Brexit debate.
Yet the intensity of the response from some quarters demonstrates just how deeply Brexit continues to shape the UK’s political landscape. The EU reset may be aimed at future stability, but for many, the ghosts of Brexit are far from buried.
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