Keir Starmer Hails UK-EU Deal As Row Rages Over Fishing 'Horror Show'

Keir Starmer has hailed a new deal struck between the UK and the EU – as he was accused of selling out fishing communities to satisfy Brussels.

The prime minister said it was “time to look forward” rather than repeat the Brexit battles of the past after the agreement was sealed after six months of negotiations.

The deal was finally done late on Sunday night after the UK agreed to give European fishermen access to British waters until 2038 – far longer than had been expected.

Starmer said the removal of trade barriers will make it easier for British food and drink to be sold to Europe, while a new security partnership will let the UK defence industry bid for billions of pounds worth of contracts.

British holidaymakers will be able to use e-gates at European airports, while a youth mobility scheme will make it easier for 18 to 30-year-olds to live and work on the continent.

Crucially, the numbers coming here will be capped and time-limited as the government tries to bring down overall migration numbers.

Starmer 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.”

However, the PM was condemned over the deal on fishing rights for European boats.

Elspeth Macdonald, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said: “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 [Boris] Johnson to betray the industry.”

Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins said: “Fishermen across our coastal communities are waking up to reports that Labour are handing the EU access to British waters for 12 years. That’s far worse than we anticipated. Labour have taken the view that our UK fishing industry can be sacrificed.”