Keir Starmer faces labour revolt over EU reset deal

 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is grappling with a brewing rebellion within his Labour Party as negotiations for a reset of UK-EU relations reached a critical juncture at today’s summit in London. The talks, described as going “down to the wire,” have sparked accusations of a “Brexit betrayal” from Labour MPs and opposition figures, who warn that the proposed deal risks alienating voters and driving support toward Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

The summit, the first of its kind since Brexit, saw Starmer host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa to hammer out a framework for deeper economic cooperation, defense ties, and trade agreements. Sky News reported a “late breakthrough” in negotiations, with a government source indicating that core details were finalized in the early hours. However, the deal’s specifics remain contentious, with critics arguing it could bind the UK too closely to EU rules without restoring the benefits of membership

Labour MPs, particularly those in Brexit-supporting constituencies, have voiced concerns that the deal could be perceived as a “worst of both worlds” compromise, undermining the UK’s post-Brexit sovereignty while failing to deliver tangible economic gains. The Telegraph reported that MPs fear this could push disillusioned voters toward Reform UK, which has already capitalized on public frustration with Labour’s handling of immigration and economic challenges. Reform’s recent gains in local elections, coupled with Farage’s rising favorability (now at 32%, according to YouGov), underscore the threat to Labour’s electoral base.

Starmer’s push for an EU reset is part of his manifesto pledge to ease trade barriers and strengthen security cooperation, but the timing is delicate. The UK economy faces headwinds, with the Resolution Foundation warning that living standards for the poorest households could fall by £500 over the next five years due to weak growth and benefit cuts. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ “securonomics” strategy, which emphasizes boosting production and supply chains, has yet to gain traction, and the looming threat of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump adds further uncertainty.

On the EU front, a proposed veterinary agreement to align with EU food safety and animal welfare rules has drawn particular ire. Critics, including some Labour backbenchers, argue it would effectively tether the UK to EU regulations without a seat at the decision-making table. The Guardian noted that the Foreign Affairs Committee has criticized the government’s lack of a clear strategic vision for the UK-EU relationship, adding fuel to the dissent.

Starmer, however, remains defiant. Speaking ahead of the summit, he framed the reset as a pragmatic step to bolster border security and economic resilience. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, appearing on Sky News, emphasized that “nothing is sorted until it all gets sorted,” signaling the government’s determination to secure a deal that balances domestic and international pressures.

Yet, the political cost could be steep. YouGov’s latest tracker shows Starmer’s net favorability plummeting to -46, his lowest ever, with half of Labour voters now viewing him unfavorably. Meanwhile, Reform UK has overtaken Labour in public approval, with 35% viewing the party positively. The Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch, are also struggling, with only 71% of their 2024 voters still favorable toward the party.