EU set to 'play tough' with Starmer in post-Brexit reset

The European Union will play tough with Sir Keir Starmer as he seeks to build closer ties with Brussels in his post-Brexit reset, top diplomats have said.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Sir Keir will tomorrow become the first prime minister to attend a dinner with EU leaders since Brexit, and is expected to discuss a security and defence deal between the UK and its European allies.

But despite Sir Keir’s welcome efforts to engage with European leaders since being elected in July, the PM will be warned that he faces the same fate as Boris Johnson in talks with the bloc – with tough concessions demanded in return for any new relationship.

Sir Keir will be told that progress on issues such as defence and security is not an option unless he is willing to give ground on issues such as EU access to Britain’s fishing waters and a youth mobility scheme. “It worked for us the first time around with Boris and it will work for us again with Starmer,” a diplomat told The Times.