Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been accused of betraying Brexit over the extension of fishing rights for European vessels into UK waters and closer ties to EU rules, as ITV News’ Political Correspondent Harry Horton reports
Sir Keir Starmer declared “Britain is back on the world stage”, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was a “historic moment”.British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates when travelling around the EU – though it’s unclear when those changes would come into effect
It’ll also be easier to trade food across the UK-EU border, and a new security pact will allow Britain to access EU funds for defence development
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that “Britain is back on the world stage” after agreeing to a number of deals with the EU at the UK’s first major summit with the bloc since Brexit.
“This is the first UK-EU summit,” the prime minister said. “It marks a new era in our relationship.
“And this deal is a win-win. It delivers what the British public voted for last year.
“It gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country outside of the EU or EFTA, all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto about not rejoining the single market, the customs union and no return to freedom of movement.”
Under the new deal struck with Brussels, British holidaymakers will soon be able to use eGates at more European airports, as the government promises to end “dreaded queues” at border control.
Since Brexit, travellers with British passports arriving at EU airports have had to queue for stamps at manned desks, rather than automated gates.
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer has welcomed the UK-EU deal, calling the reset “good news” for people in the UK amid the cost of living crisis.
Denyer says the deal gives “hope” for young people who want to live, work, study and form friendships freely across Europe.
But she says she would like to see closer relations between the UK and the EU that would include re-joining the customs union and free movement across Europe.
Ultimately, Denyer says the agreement is “a step in the right direction and moves us forward from a place where Reform and the Tories would like us to stay stuck.”
She has also hit back at the rhetoric that the deal was a “betrayal”, accusing critics of disregarding “the damage inflicted on the country through Brexit”.
