The UK agreed to reset ties with the European Union since Brexit, with a new agreement removing trade barriers and bringing more collaboration on defence.
The deal was made May 19, with the British government saying it aims to “support British businesses, back British jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets”.
At a summit press conference May 19, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, nine years after the UK voted to leave the Union.
“We are turning a page and opening a new chapter in our unique relationship,”she said.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also praised the deal on X, stating: “It’s time to look forward, to move on from the stale old political fights and to find common-sense, practical solutions that improve the lives of British people.”
It’s time to look forward — to move on from the stale old political fights and to find common sense, practical solutions that improve the lives of British people.
Secure borders. Cheaper bills. More jobs.
We will close a deal in the national interest.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 19, 2025
According to the British government, “the package will help make food cheaper, slash red tape, open up access to the EU market and add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040.”
Conservative politicians across the UK criticised the agreement, however, calling the talks a “surrender summit”.
Shadow Home Secretary and Tory MP Chris Philp accused Starmer of betraying Britain.
“So far, he has crossed the road to betray what’s best for Britain,” he wrote May 19.
He accused the PM of attempting to “reverse Brexit.”
“We are told the UK-EU summit isn’t about reversing Brexit. Of course it is. It is a surrender summit,” he said.
“Free movement, giving up fish, following future EU rules, a potentially uncapped pan-European youth mobility scheme, and an asylum quota. Give it a fresh coat of paint, and suddenly it’s not betrayal, merely alignment,” he added.
Brexiteer and Reform UK president Nigel Farage also criticised the agreement, especially on fisheries.
“It will be the end of the fishing industry,” he wrote on X.
The deal currently requires one UK concession on fisheries, allowing the EU continued access to British waters under current arrangements, which will now remain in place until 2038.
The UK had initially sought a four-year extension only.
The deal also allows EU oversight on food, with “dynamic alignment” of food rules.
According to Sir Keir, this move was necessary to grow the UK economy and cut food prices.
“By making food and agriculture trade with the EU cheaper and easier, we’re bringing down food prices, giving shoppers more choice, and putting more money in your pocket” he said May 19.
The full deal covers a wide range of topics: sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, climate and energy, youth, arts and study, travel and border management, trade and services, law enforcement and data sharing, judicial cooperation, health and drugs, and illegal migration.
🚨 BREAKING: The UK's deal with the EU in full
🪖 Security & Defence
– Security and Defence Partnership concluded between UK and EU
– Partnership covers cooperation on Ukraine, cyber, defence industry, crisis management, and more
– UK defence firms set to participate in the…
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) May 19, 2025
