Starmer will be the first British leader to attend an EU summit dinner since Brexit in 2020
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Reform UK member Marco Longhi has accused Sir Keir Starmer of plotting to deliver "Brexit in name only" as the Prime Minister heads to Brussels for talks with EU leaders.
The former Tory MP claimed Labour's promise not to rejoin the EU was misleading, suggesting Starmer would instead pursue multiple bilateral agreements with the bloc.
The comments come as Starmer prepares to become the first British leader to attend an EU summit dinner since Brexit in 2020.
Speaking to GB News, Longhi said: "We know that Keir Starmer has always been pro European Union. He wanted the second referendum after he disagreed with the first one.
The former Tory MP claimed Labour's promise not to rejoin the EU was misleading,
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"He made absolutely certain to persuade Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party at the time, to go with Remain when actually his natural instincts, believe it or not, were for Brexit.
"We also know that the vast majority of Labour MPs are very pro-EU. So when we hear that Starmer and the Labour Party are saying that they are not going to rejoin the EU, that is really a way of just basically feathering things up so that we're not formally re-entering the EU.
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"But what they will do is that they will rejoin in with lots of little bilateral agreements.
"So for example, this thing on international students. There will be formal agreements signed by Starmer which will effectively render Brexit in name only, because we will have rejoined in so many other ways."
During his Brussels engagement, Starmer will present EU leaders with proposals for a new defence and security pact.
The visit comes after Starmer's landslide election victory in July, following which he has worked to improve ties with the EU.
Keir Starmer did not want to leave the EU
Getty ImagesHis Government has been seeking ways to reduce trade-related red tape to boost economic growth.
A controversial youth mobility scheme has emerged as a key point of contention in UK-EU negotiations.
While Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told Sky News that an EU-UK youth mobility scheme was "not the right starting point," sources suggest discussions are ongoing behind the scenes.
The scheme would allow 18 to 30-year-olds to live, work and study abroad, with the EU indicating that youth mobility is crucial for improved relations.
Longhi claimed that Starmer persuaded Corbyn to campaign to stay
PAA senior UK Government source said: "There aren't any specific proposals on the table around youth mobility. Obviously, we will look at anything that the European Union does put forward."
Brussels sources indicate the bloc may water down original demands to make the deal more palatable to Westminster.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas Symonds stressed that any proposal must align with the government's pledge to reduce net migration.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to tell Starmer that "Brexit has failed" during the summit.
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