Starmer announces Labour's plan to pursue revision of Brexit agreement

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party in the UK, has stated that if his party wins the next general election, he will pursue a "much better" Brexit deal with the European Union (EU). In an interview with the Financial Times, he described the current deal, which is set to be reviewed in 2025, as being "too thin". However, he made it clear that Labour would not seek to rejoin the customs union, the single market, or the EU. It remains uncertain whether the EU would be open to making significant changes to the agreement, which was negotiated by former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021. Sir Keir has consistently emphasized that he would not seek to rejoin the EU if his party comes to power, preferring to "make Brexit work". Labour has consistently held a double-digit lead in political opinion polls, and a general election is expected to be held in 2024. Sir Keir commented on the current deal, stating, "Almost everyone recognizes the deal Johnson struck is not a good deal - it's far too thin." He pledged to "attempt to get a much better deal for the UK" in 2025 but did not specify which aspects of the deal he would seek to improve. He expressed confidence in negotiating a better deal with Brussels and establishing a "closer trading relationship". The Labour leader also emphasized the importance of making Brexit work for future generations, particularly as a parent. He said, "I've got a 15-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl. I'm not going to let them grow up in a world where all I've got to say to them about their future is, it's going to be worse than it might otherwise have been. I've got an utter determination to make this work." Sir Keir has recently been engaged in meetings with fellow centre-left leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron. The discussions have focused heavily on post-Brexit relations. He also visited the Hague to meet with the EU's law enforcement agency Europol, with the aim of reaching a deal to prevent smuggling gangs from bringing people across the Channel in small boats. These visits led to accusations by the UK Prime Minister and Home Secretary that Labour planned to allow the UK to become a "dumping ground" for 100,000 migrants from the continent each year, allegations that Sir Keir dismissed as "complete garbage".