Nigel Farage asks seven-word question as Labour minister goes to Brussels for EU talks
The new European relations minister visited Brussels to push for a reset in UK-EU ties.
Nigel Farage has questioned the Labour government’s bid to strengthen ties with the European Union.
The Reform UK leader took to social media to say that no British Government has won a negotiation with the European Commission in 50 years “without huge downsides”.
Asking the pertinent seven-word question, he added: “Why would it be different this time?”
The Brexit architect’s comments were in response to a picture shared on X, formerly Twitter, by the new European Union relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds boarding a train to Brussels to meet the EU’s chief negotiator Marcos Sefcovic.
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The EU boss said he was “looking forward to our co-operation” with Sir Keir Starmer’s Government following the “constructive” meeting.
He said: “Discussed how we can advance our joint agenda. Referred to the implementation of our existing agreements, the cornerstone of EU-Britain relations.
“We’re allies, sharing both values and challenges. Looking forward to our co-operation.”
It comes ahead of the European Political Community summit Sir Keir is hosting at Blenheim Palace later this week.
The Prime Minister will welcome 45 leaders from neighbouring countries on Thursday as he seeks to forge an ambitious new UK-EU security pact to strengthen co-operation and closer work on defence with key allies such as France and Germany.
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The Labour administration wants to repair the damage to relations with Europe caused by the Brexit wrangles and strike a better deal with the European Union than the “botched” trade agreement signed by Boris Johnson.
In a sign of the importance placed on European diplomacy, Sir Keir gave Mr Thomas-Symonds the newly-created job of EU relations minister tasked with leading discussions and resetting the relationship.
The minister was also part of Sir Keir’s delegation to last week’s NATO gathering in Washington.
One issue that could be a sticking point in talks with Brussels is the European Commission proposal for a youth mobility scheme for 18 to 30-year-olds, which would allow young Britons to move to the EU to work and live for four years, with the UK expected to offer the same in return.
Before the election, Labour rejected the possibility of an EU-wide scheme, saying the party would “seek to improve the UK’s working relationship with the EU within our red lines – no return to the single market, customs union or free movement”.
