Former Brexit minister David Davis has issued stark warnings about Labour’s approach to EU negotiations, claiming the party risks being “sucked in” to deeper European integration.
Speaking on GB News, Davis criticised what he called Labour’s “naivety” about Europe, stating: “They’re a bunch of Remainers and they want to be back in.”
He predicted the UK would face mounting pressure on multiple fronts. “They will get pressed on fishing rights, free movement for young people which will grow, they will get pressed on the European Court of Justice,” Davis warned.
Labour’s European affairs minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has pledged a “ruthlessly pragmatic” approach to resetting relations with the EU during a speech in Brussels.
David Davis joined Nigel Farage on GB News
GB NEWS
“The time for ideologically driven division is over – the time for ruthless pragmatism is now,” Thomas-Symonds declared.
The speech coincided with the announcement of the first UK-EU summit, scheduled for May 19, where Prime Minister Starmer will host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
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Keir Starmer has held talks with EU leaders
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The summit aims to “deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK and the EU,” according to Downing Street.
Starmer has embarked on an unprecedented diplomatic push, becoming the first UK prime minister since Brexit to attend a major gathering of EU leaders in Brussels.
The Labour leader met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at Chequers on Sunday.
His European engagement continues this week with meetings at Downing Street, hosting Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Thursday.
David Davis thinks Keir Starmer will get ‘sucked in’ to EU reintegration
GB NEWS
During his Brussels visit, Starmer also met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as part of discussions on defence and security cooperation.
Thomas-Symonds outlined plans for new agreements on security, defence, food standards and energy cooperation with the EU.
Brussels has indicated that any security deal would be linked to agreements on fishing access for EU vessels in British waters.
The EU is also pushing for a youth mobility scheme to allow 18-30 year olds easier access to work and study in Britain.
Thomas-Symonds emphasised the initiatives would help “smash the gangs” to curb illegal migration while boosting continental security and economic growth.
The political stakes of Labour’s EU strategy are highlighted by a new YouGov poll showing Reform UK ahead for the first time at 25 per cent, with Labour at 24 per cent.
Starmer has set clear boundaries for negotiations, vowing Britain will not return to the single market or customs union.
Mark Francois, shadow defence minister, warned against “rejoining by stealth,” stating: “Mr Second Referendum himself, Sir Keir Starmer, remains a Remainer at heart and he’ll undoubtedly try and take us back in, step by step.”
