Farage's Reform surge makes Starmer's EU reset more urgent — UK minister
Primary region Europe
Tags Elections · Diplomacy · Policy · Trade
Regions Europe
Following Labour's devastating local election losses — losing over 1,100 council seats to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, which gained more than 1,300 — Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to 'put Britain at the heart of Europe.' UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty said Farage's surge makes Starmer's EU push 'more important than ever.' Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU, single market, or customs union, but is pursuing regulatory alignment, youth mobility, and sectoral deals. EU sources say Brussels may insert penalty clauses into any agreements to guard against a future eurosceptic UK government.
Strategic interpretation
Starmer's EU pivot is driven by domestic political survival — he needs to recapture pro-European voters while neutralizing Farage's anti-establishment appeal. The EU's reported consideration of penalty clauses reveals deep institutional memory of Brexit and a lack of trust that any UK commitment will survive a change of government.