PM’s ‘reset’ with Brussels sparks rebellion amid warnings it could hand Reform UK a voter windfall

Keir Starmer faces a growing revolt within Labour after securing a new Brexit EU deal that angry MPs have called a “betrayal” of the party’s promises.

The deal, set to be announced Monday alongside Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, marks Britain’s most significant shift towards Brussels since the 2021 post-Brexit trade accord. It includes provisions that critics say could unravel core pledges on immigration and sovereignty.

At the heart of the backlash is a youth mobility scheme allowing young EU citizens to live and work in the UK, and so-called “dynamic alignment” with European food regulations, which will bind Britain to EU standards and bring renewed oversight by the European Court of Justice.

Starmer has billed the package as a sensible step forward to repair strained UK-EU relations, especially after years of economic uncertainty. Downing Street is expected to champion a parallel defence and security pact that will grant UK firms access to the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe fund — a key pool of cash to rearm against threats like Vladimir Putin.

Yet inside Labour’s own ranks, concern is boiling over. Red Wall MP Jo White, who leads the party’s northern caucus, warned that the new EU accord could leave voters disillusioned and flocking to Reform UK.

“We’re talking about tightening immigration with one hand, while loosening it with the other,” she said. “That won’t wash with working-class voters.”

The defence pact, which will boost domestic arms manufacturing, comes with caveats — including a limit on how much EU money can be spent inside the UK. While that part of the deal may appeal to industry, critics say the price paid in sovereignty is too steep.

Baroness Kate Hoey, a prominent Brexiteer and former Labour MP, predicted the agreement would be a political gift to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which recently surged in local elections.

“[Starmer] will pay the penalty in Labour areas where he seems to think Brexit is forgotten,” she said. “It’s not — and Reform just proved it. This could accelerate the end of his government.”

The backlash puts Starmer in a precarious position. Just last week, he vowed to reduce immigration and restore public confidence in border control. But Monday’s deal — especially the youth mobility scheme — risks undermining that message and giving Reform UK a new line of attack.

One senior Labour backbencher described the move as “tone-deaf” in the wake of Reform’s growing appeal to disaffected voters.

“For many, this feels like a step backwards — to more migration, more EU rules, and less say over our laws,” they said.

Downing Street has attempted to head off the brewing dissent by focusing media attention on the economic and security upsides of the agreement. Officials argue that better EU access for UK defence firms will help reindustrialise key regions while deepening NATO-aligned cooperation with Brussels.

But few believe that will drown out the noise from Labour’s own benches. With the Reform party gaining ground and Brexit sentiment still potent in many communities, Starmer’s strategy of quiet re-engagement with Europe now looks riskier than ever.

In aligning more closely with Brussels, the Prime Minister has gambled that economic pragmatism will win out over sovereignty politics. However, with Red Wall MPs warning of voter backlash and Reform UK poised to capitalise, that gamble could cost Labour dearly at the next general election.

THE INDEPENDENT

The UK and EU are holding their first official summit since Brexit to reset relations and seek closer ties. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to improve the post-Brexit trade agreement, addressing increased costs and red tape that have hit UK-EU trade. The summit focuses on boosting trade, security cooperation, and youth mobility, while avoiding rejoining the single market or customs union. Key issues include reducing non-tariff barriers, easing food export checks, and negotiating a new fishing pact—an emotive topic for both sides. Starmer faces political pressure at home, with his popularity declining amid anti-immigration sentiment and pro-Brexit opposition gains. While talks have made progress, some disagreements remain, and external factors like the US reaction to closer UK-EU ties could complicate the reset. The summit marks a critical step toward a strengthened partnership meant to benefit jobs, borders, and the economy.

SKY NEWS

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is poised to deliver key manifesto promises by signing a new UK-EU security and defence pact and improving trade relations at a historic summit in London. Since taking office in July, Starmer has sought to reset post-Brexit ties amid shared security concerns heightened by the Ukraine war and uncertainties around the US alliance. Despite strong mutual interest, negotiations are tense, with talks continuing late into Sunday over contentious issues like fishing rights and youth mobility. The EU demands a 10-year fishing access deal, while the UK insists on a shorter four-year term. Brussels has linked lifting regulatory checks on food and agricultural goods to progress on fisheries, creating a stalemate. These issues are critical for France, the Netherlands, and Germany, complicating the reset. Starmer faces intense pressure to secure a deal that boosts the UK economy, yet some hurdles remain as both sides seek compromise