'Fishermen feel forgotten by Starmer... they say the EU deal's going to kill them'

KEMI Badenoch has challenged Sir Keir Starmer to visit the fishermen who fear his new EU deal will “kill” their businesses.

- By Martyn Brown

The Prime Minister has faced widespread anger over this week’s Brexit “surrender”, which allows European vessels access to British waters until 2038.

Existing access was due to end next year as part of a post-Brexit agreement, but Sir Keir announced a 12-year extension last Monday.

Critics, who believe it will largely benefit French fishermen, believe the extension was granted in exchange for closer trade, food and farming trade ties.

Speaking in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, Tory leader Ms Badenoch said the local fishermen feel “forgotten” by the Government.

She said: “They've been telling me that Keir Starmer does not understand what they are going through. They could not believe it.

“They said they woke up one day and just heard fishing rights have been given to Europe for 12 years.”

Some told her their children do not want to work in fishing due to growing pressures, she claimed.

Ms Badenoch went on: “They cannot find staff. People would rather work at Tesco or be binmen than work on these vessels.

Afterthought