Farage says UK needs better post-Brexit deal with EU - but fails to explain what he would do in tetchy interview
The Reform UK leader said the UK’s existing trade deal with the EU, negotiated under Boris Johnson, ‘was not a very good one’, but refused to say how he would improve it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nigel Farage has admitted Britain needs a better post-Brexit deal with the European Union amid Sir Keir Starmer’s reset of relations with the bloc, but refused to say what an improved relationship would look like.
The Reform UK leader said the UK’s existing trade deal with the EU, negotiated under Boris Johnson, “was not a very good one”.
“We can improve on that,” the arch-Brexiteer told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
But, under intense pressure from interviewer Emma Barnett, Mr Farage was unable to say what he would change about the UK’s relationship with the bloc.
The interview came the morning after pollster YouGov put Reform UK ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives for the first time, with Mr Farage winning over scores of disaffected voters from both parties.
While Mr Farage has said his insurgent right-wing party will win the next general election, he refused to flesh out details of what he would do about ongoing Brexit chaos.
Refusing to set out what specific concessions he would offer the EU in exchange for a more favourable trading relationship, Mr Farage said: “We can improve the deal by saying to them, ‘look, we can make this easier for both of us, we can go back through’, we are up for a renegotiation anyway.
“My fear is we tie ourselves to EU law, we start to accept single market regulations and the many implications from this government, that is what they intend to do.”
An exacerbated Ms Barnett said: “You keep outlining your fears and what you don’t like, but you are an MP now, you’re the leader of a party, don’t you need to say what we can do?”
Mr Farage said that Britain could seek a free trade deal with the United States under Donald Trump and said the EU becomes less important each year. “Let’s think bigger,” Mr Farage added.
But Ms Barnett hit back, pointing to polling revealing a majority of voters in every UK constituency think the government should prioritise trade with the EU over the US and other countries.
And she highlighted the case of fisherman Andy Dixon, who on the fifth anniversary of Brexit told GB News of his regrets at voting Leave. Mr Dixon said the decision had been a “disaster” for his industry and that it was “costing him dearly”.
Sir Keir was in Brussels on Monday as part of his ongoing reset of post-Brexit relations with the EU. The prime minister had prioritised defence and security ahead of a meeting with the bloc’s 27 leaders. He has previously promised to “tear down unnecessary barriers to trade”, including with a veterinary agreement to reduce border checks for food.
But he is expected to come under pressure over issues such as fishing and a youth mobility agreement, which the bloc have indicated are priorities in the talks.
Mr Farage warned that Sir Keir’s reset means the prime minister is “a rejoiner at heart” and said “I do not see that any steps back towards a failing European Union make sense in a world that is changing very, very quickly”.
Ms Barnett also asked Mr Farage about a public snub from Trump ally Elon Musk, who was reportedly said to donate millions of pounds to Reform UK.
Just weeks after meeting with Mr Farage and Reform Treasurer Nick Candy at Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago mansion, Mr Musk said the Brexiteer “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead his party and should be replaced.
Asked whether it was embarrassing, Mr Farage said: “Elon’s Elon, he says a lot of things.
“He wanted me to go along a line I did not want to go down. I do not get bullied by anybody, I stand up for the principles I believe in.
“Elon Musk has an awful lot of opinions, some of which I agree with, and some of which I don’t.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments