Readers can vote on whether Britain should improve ties with Brussels
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK will pursue closer ties with the EU in light of the Iran war in his latest move to undo Brexit. The Prime Minister launched a fresh swipe at Britain’s departure from the bloc at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday.
He said: “We will continue to stand up for the British national interest, and we will continue to do what we must to guide our country calmly through this storm. However, it is increasingly clear that as the world continues down this volatile path, our long-term national interest requires closer partnership with our allies in Europe and with the European Union.”
He added: “As the Chancellor has rightly pointed out, Brexit did deep damage to our economy, and the opportunities to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living are simply too big to ignore.”
Sir Keir continued: “In the coming weeks, we will announce a new summit with our EU partners, and I can tell you that at that summit, the UK will not just ratify existing commitments made at last year’s summit.
“We want to be more ambitious. Closer economic co-operation, closer security co-operation, a partnership that recognises our shared values, our shared interest and our shared future.
“A partnership for the dangerous world that we must navigate together, a world where this Government will be guided at all times by the interests of the British people.”
But the Tories accused Sir Keir of “trying to reopen the old wounds” of Brexit.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “Keir Starmer is desperate for someone or something to blame for the terrible failings he has overseen, and has his sights set on Brexit.
“But it’s his own Government that has sent the cost of living up, leaving families £1,000 worse off this year. Labour’s tax hikes and net-zero zealotry are causing misery for hardworking people while those on welfare get a bonus courtesy of Rachel Reeves.
“Rather than trying to reopen the old wounds of the Brexit years, Starmer should focus on fixing the mess he has created.”
It comes as the PM has been pursuing a Brexit “reset” with the bloc, but has insisted he will not rejoin the single market, customs union or return to freedom of movement.