In a fiery political clash, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accused current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of “selling out” the UK to Brussels with a new EU agreement. Labeling the nation as a “gimp of Brussels,” Johnson’s remarks have sparked a media storm, reigniting the Brexit debate and raising questions about the future of UK sovereignty under Labour.
The controversial comment comes as the UK edges closer to re-aligning with EU standards, potentially reshaping the country’s post-Brexit identity. For supporters of Brexit, Johnson’s warnings feel like a rallying cry against a perceived reversal of the 2016 referendum.
The Origins of the Row
Since leaving the EU, the UK has sought to define its new relationship with Europe. Under Conservative leadership, Brexit meant diverging from EU rules. However, under Starmer’s Labour government, the tone has shifted.
The Labour Party has opened talks with Brussels to improve trade, re-enter academic exchange programs like Erasmus+, and even revisit shared regulatory frameworks. Starmer frames these efforts as pragmatic partnerships. Critics see them as backdoor routes to rejoining the EU.
Boris Johnson’s Explosive Remarks
Speaking to Conservative allies, Johnson accused Starmer of betraying Brexit voters. He lambasted the deal as a total capitulation to Brussels, stating, “This ‘deal’ leaves Britain as a gimp of Brussels, bound and beholden to a foreign bureaucracy.”
The language was unmistakably provocative—perhaps deliberately so. Johnson’s political strategy often revolves around bold, attention-grabbing statements. By painting Starmer’s deal as a humiliation, he is clearly aiming to reignite support among staunch Brexit voters.
What’s in Starmer’s Deal With the EU?
Though the full agreement hasn’t been publicly published, reports suggest that it includes:
- Extended fishing rights for EU vessels in UK waters until 2038.
- Rejoining Erasmus+, the EU academic and cultural exchange program.
- A youth mobility scheme, which could resemble pre-Brexit freedom of movement for younger adults.
- Alignment with EU standards in key industries like agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
- European Court of Justice (ECJ) oversight on certain regulatory disputes.
Each of these provisions touches a nerve in the Brexit narrative—sovereignty, immigration control, and legal autonomy.
Why Johnson Believes It’s a “Sell-Out”
For Johnson, Brexit was never just about trade—it was about control. Any return to EU influence, particularly legal or regulatory oversight, is seen as a betrayal of the Brexit promise.
He points to the fishing deal as symbolic of this betrayal. British fishermen were promised control over UK waters—yet under the new deal, EU boats will continue operating in British seas for another 13 years.
Additionally, Johnson warns that ECJ involvement erodes British legal independence. “You cannot be truly sovereign,” he argues, “if your highest court isn’t your own.”
Starmer’s Defence of the Deal
Starmer has not responded directly to Johnson’s “gimp” comments but has defended the agreement as a pragmatic solution to economic stagnation. With UK businesses struggling under the weight of Brexit-related trade barriers, Starmer argues that closer ties with Europe are essential.
“We are not rejoining the EU,” he insists, “but we are rebuilding broken relationships for the benefit of our economy and our people.” Labour’s position is that re-engagement doesn’t mean capitulation—it’s about cooperation.
