Keir Starmer will plead for EU leaders to ‘reset’ ties today as he attends a meeting in Brussels.
The PM will join an ‘informal meeting’ with the bloc’s leaders, and make his case for closer relations over dinner. He is also expected to hold discussions with Nato chief Mark Rutte in the Belgian capital.
However, concerns have been raised over what concessions Sir Keir might make to get his wish – with calls for a youth free movement deal and access to fishing waters.
In an ominous sign, French diplomats have been suggesting that the premier’s request for a better relationship shows Brexit has ‘failed’.
Sir Keir is the first PM to attend an EU summit since the UK formally left the bloc in 2020.
He hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for talks at Chequers yesterday as he geared up for the visit.
The premier will ‘set out his pitch’ for an ‘ambitious’ new defence and security deal as part of his vow to ‘make Brexit work better for the British people’.
He has insisted that Brexit is ‘settled’, and he is concentrating on ‘a closer relationship on defence and security, on energy, on trade and our economy.’
‘I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the pressure, targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his missile factories to crush Putin’s war machine,’ Sir Keir said.
‘Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer.’
Labour has insisted rejoining the customs union and single market are both ‘red lines’.
France is said to view Sir Keir as a ‘demandeur’ – a supplicant driven by the UK’s struggle beyond the EU.
A senior diplomat told The Times: ‘The Brexit project, breaking away from the EU to create a global Britain, didn’t work.
‘We thought it wouldn’t work because the UK is European, geographically and economically.
‘Brexit was a project for a stable and prosperous world, but in a complicated world, obviously, the UK will be closer to Europe.’
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith told Sky News that Sir Keir ‘should be rediverting his plane’ to Washington DC, as the UK already had a trade deal with the EU, but not with America.
The Conservatives have set the Prime Minister five ‘tests’ over his approach to Brexit, warning he could attempt to ‘undo’ the settlement.
There has been no opportunity for Brexit to succeed. Don’t for a moment assume that Starmer will have our best interests at heart as he smooches up to his European masters. The Conservatives and now this EU-loving Labour party have never supported the concept of the UK becoming independent, and he loves everyone but the British people.
Our government are treating us like we should be punished.
Businesses large and small are already saying that times are hard, but in April when Rachel Reeves budget ultimately hits home they will see their overheads overtake and overwhelm any profits, so how on earth does Starmer think that the EU will be able to save the UK? The damage has already been done!
What is the cunning and feeble Prime Minister up to? I have no faith in him.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 
Many of us did not want to leave the EU – what we did object to were the 3 hour lunch fuddled crew appointed to the ruling echelon – unelected … Happen to have veryl= long term links with friends in France from Normandy to Marseille & wit Spain / Italy … since the close run important leaving they & us have lost sales , snowed under with nit-picking paperwork – generally set upon as boy ! The French love deluges of paperwork that requires hours of scrutiny and hovering pens to sign ok every blasted week – Where once for years we saw our French friends in the markets with their centuries old tradition of superb foods … Now though still 22 miles apart we might as well be 1000 miles away. What a bodge ! Weak tea Starmer will no doubt get his begging bowl kicked round the block. Grrrr …
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