Britain must not be plunged into Brexit surrender as part of Keir Starmer’s EU reset, warn critics

BRITAIN must not be plunged into a Brexit surrender as part of the PM’s reset with the European Union, critics warn.

Sir Keir Starmer meets with leaders of the 27 EU nations tonight in Brussels amid fears of him “selling out”.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has set out five “tests” to determine if he is backsliding on issues such as free movement and fishing rights.

Shadow Cabinet Minister Andrew Griffith yesterday said: “We’ve been very clear with Sir Keir about what he’s not to be doing, going off to Brussels, selling out this country.”

He suggested that Britain had greater opportunities in Washington DC, saying: “The Prime Minister should be diverting his plane.”

Sir Keir will be seeking progress on a defence and security pact with EU leaders at a dinner but will be told he must make concessions.

His proposals for closer ties will be treated as part of a package — and he will face demands to give ground on fishing, mobility for young European citizens and more alignment with EU laws.

Both sides are understood to want the outline of a deal to be in place as early as May.

Sir Keir said yesterday: “I want a reset of our relationship with the EU.

“That does not involve a return to the European Union — we had a referendum on that, and that matter is settled. But I do want to see a closer relationship on defence and security, energy, trade and our economy.”

The PM was speaking at Chequers, where he held talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

He praised his counterpart, saying the pair had made “real progress”.

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