Brexit betrayal as Starmer eyes EU defence scheme

Keir Starmer signals a push for closer EU collaboration on defence, as fresh trade talks are set between the UK and the EU. The talks resume after previous negotiations for Britain to join the EU’s £130bn Safe programme collapsed. French demands of £5.7bn for UK firms to bid on contracts were a sticking point.

Previously, Starmer championed the Safe programme, saying it would bolster “British jobs and livelihoods.” Now, with the EU-UK Partnership Council talks on the horizon, new defence collaborations seem possible. Pressed in China on Britain’s potential Safe entry, Starmer remains open if terms suit British interests.

Although Safe isn’t currently on the table, Starmer underscores the need for Europe, including the UK, to enhance security efforts. He insists this isn’t just a directive from President Trump, but a broader European consensus. He advocates for increased spending and cooperation on defence, hinting at exploring initiatives like Safe.

Asked whether aligning with Europe equates to backpedaling on Brexit, especially against opponents like Nigel Farage, Starmer countered. He recalled Farage’s NHS funding claims and reduced EU trading red tape, highlighting their failures. Starmer insists his focus is on realistic cooperation rather than reverting Brexit promises.

Starmer’s stance appears aimed at recalibrating the UK’s strategic ties with Europe. By advocating shared security initiatives, he suggests pragmatic post-Brexit collaborations may serve Britain well. As talks proceed, his moves may redefine UK-EU relations amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Starmer eyes EU ties amid collapsing defence talks.

• French demands halted previous UK scheme entry.

• Starmer counters Brexit critics with practical cooperation.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Source 2026-02.02

 

 

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Seems like 'the gentleman is for turning'.

Unlike Maggie ..

“To those waiting with bated breath for that favourite media catchphrase, the ‘U’ turn, I have only one thing to say: ‘You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning.'” — from Margaret Thatcher’s 10 October 1980 speech to the Conservative Party Conference.

https://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104431?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The money frankly pissed up the wall with the AJAX armoured vehicle programme farce, has left the MOD with no money to replace the obsolescent worn out 1970s cold war armoured recconnaisance vehicles we currently rely on to patch a crucial requirement for the sort of mobile warfare we are currently preparing for in Eastern Europe.

AJAX is a total failure, with it appears no realistic prospect of being put into any service. Europe produces two suitable, effective, modern platforms to fill this gap. That is why they are eying up this deal - we have rather brought it upon ourselves.

Personally I support closer military integration with Europe - ties with the USA are rather proving to be a busted flush. I am much more sanguine about the ideas of political integration, but open to discussion on economic integration (the single market) - again the USA is not a reliable partner.

Ending the Tory vandalism of the UK’s economic and security cooperation with the EU is absolutely the right thing to do and is in no sense a U-Turn on BREXIT.

Time to admit there are no ‘warm sunlit uplands’ and the special relationship with the U.S. is one way and abusive.

It just needs Farage to step up and promise to reverse anything Starmer does.

I mean how much more harm can Starmer do in less than 3 years?

After that he and Labour will be gone forever.

14 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It just needs Farage to step up and promise to reverse anything Starmer does.

I mean how much more harm can Starmer do in less than 3 years?

After that he and Labour will be gone forever.

Farage’s promises are like BREXIT benefits, they sound good but never turn up.

The UK's military is one of the few bargaining chips it has after giving away its fishing grounds. We should have told the sleazy french midget to suck it up or he can eat frogs for dinner.

24 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It just needs Farage to step up and promise to reverse anything Starmer does.

I mean how much more harm can Starmer do in less than 3 years?

After that he and Labour will be gone forever.

Farage is all fizz and lies. Hasn't that dawned on you yet?

15 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Farage’s promises are like BREXIT benefits, they sound good but never turn up.

Unlike Starmer's promises which are bare faced lies.

Starmer does not have a mandate to reverse Brexit, and it is fair game if Farage reverses any Starmer initiatives in this regard.

The EU needs the UK's military and support of Ukraine. The demand by France for a payoff is disgusting and they should have been told to go pound sand.

13 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Starmer does not have a mandate to reverse Brexit, and it is fair game if Farage reverses any Starmer initiatives in this regard.

The EU needs the UK's military and support of Ukraine. The demand by France for a payoff is disgusting and they should have been told to go pound sand.

He’s not taking the UK back into the EU and therefore not reversing BREXIT.

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

He’s not taking the UK back into the EU and therefore not reversing BREXIT.

He's forging closer links to the EU. Clearly against the spirit of Brexit. But what you expect from someone who cancels elections because they know they are going to lose them. He's hardly a fan of Democracy.

It doesn't matter, Farage will reverse it all anyway and Starmer's actions will ensure this is the last Labour government ever to disgrace the UK. They're toast. Nice legacy for Starmer. The man who ruined Britain and destroyed Labour for a cushy job in Davos. Most hated PM ever. Nice.

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

He's forging closer links to the EU. Clearly against the spirit of Brexit. But what you expect from someone who cancels elections because they know they are going to lose them. He's hardly a fan of Democracy.

It doesn't matter, Farage will reverse it all anyway and Starmer's actions will ensure this is the last Labour government ever to disgrace the UK. They're toast. Nice legacy for Starmer. The man who ruined Britain and destroyed Labour for a cushy job in Davos. Most hated PM ever. Nice.

You seem to have forgotten all those BREXITEER promises of access to the benefits of the EU after leaving the EU.

You’ll find them filed under ‘false promises/warm sunlit uplands/have our cake and eat it’.

If you can point to any question on the BREXIT referendum that said anything about not cooperating with the EU after BREXIT, please post below.

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You seem to have forgotten all those BREXITEER promises of access to the benefits of the EU after leaving the EU.

You’ll find them filed under ‘false promises/warm sunlit uplands/have our cake and eat it’.

If you can point to any question on the BREXIT referendum that said anything about not cooperating with the EU after BREXIT, please post below.

Paying the French 5.7 Billion to join some hairbrained scheme is not co-operation, it's self harm amounting to treason.

With this and Chagos, he can't give away UK assets quickly enough. Starmer is doing as much damage as possible in as short a period as possible. Because he hates Britain like most Labour supporters.

Anyway, Farage will reverse all this so let him show exactly what he is before he trots off to Davos.

7 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It just needs Farage to step up and promise to reverse anything Starmer does.

I mean how much more harm can Starmer do in less than 3 years?

If Farage were to promise that then he would be an idiot (which I don't think he is). It would be the height of stupidity to promise to reverse legislation irrespective of whether it was beneficial or not.

Your suggestion reminds me of the equally idiotic promise made by certain Brexiters prior to the referendum to have a 'bonfire of EU regulation'. Again, only fools would make such promises without analysing whether the individual legislation was beneficial.

20 minutes ago, RayC said:

If Farage were to promise that then he would be an idiot (which I don't think he is). It would be the height of stupidity to promise to reverse legislation irrespective of whether it was beneficial or not.

Your suggestion reminds me of the equally idiotic promise made by certain Brexiters prior to the referendum to have a 'bonfire of EU regulation'. Again, only fools would make such promises without analysing whether the individual legislation was beneficial.

You think that Starmer may enact some legislation beneficial to the British people?

40 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Paying the French 5.7 Billion to join some hairbrained scheme is not co-operation, it's self harm amounting to treason.

With this and Chagos, he can't give away UK assets quickly enough. Starmer is doing as much damage as possible in as short a period as possible. Because he hates Britain like most Labour supporters.

Anyway, Farage will reverse all this so let him show exactly what he is before he trots off to Davos.

BREXIT was the self harm.

Tossing the ludicrous and baseless accusation of treason around isn’t any kind of rational argument.

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

You think that Starmer may enact some legislation beneficial to the British people?

Well there’s this:

The employment’s rights act.

Ending zero hour contracts.

Ending ‘fire and hire’.

Ending no fault evictions.

Increasing the national minimum wage.

Renters rights bill in process.

And much more.

16 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

BREXIT was the self harm.

Tossing the ludicrous and baseless accusation of treason around isn’t any kind of rational argument.

I'd also suggest Farage announces any country taking land from the UK can consider themselves at war with the UK the moment he takes office.

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well there’s this:

The employment’s rights act.

Ending zero hour contracts.

Ending ‘fire and hire’.

Ending no fault evictions.

Increasing the national minimum wage.

Renters rights bill in process.

And much more.

Nothing actually enacted then?

Except ............

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2818329625175826

3 hours ago, JAG said:

The money frankly pissed up the wall with the AJAX armoured vehicle programme farce, has left the MOD with no money to replace the obsolescent worn out 1970s cold war armoured recconnaisance vehicles we currently rely on to patch a crucial requirement for the sort of mobile warfare we are currently preparing for in Eastern Europe.

AJAX is a total failure, with it appears no realistic prospect of being put into any service. Europe produces two suitable, effective, modern platforms to fill this gap. That is why they are eying up this deal - we have rather brought it upon ourselves.

Personally I support closer military integration with Europe - ties with the USA are rather proving to be a busted flush. I am much more sanguine about the ideas of political integration, but open to discussion on economic integration (the single market) - again the USA is not a reliable partner.

I meant to say LESS sanguine!

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You seem to have forgotten all those BREXITEER promises of access to the benefits of the EU after leaving the EU.

You’ll find them filed under ‘false promises/warm sunlit uplands/have our cake and eat it’.

If you can point to any question on the BREXIT referendum that said anything about not cooperating with the EU after BREXIT, please post below.

They knew what they were voting for just like the Trumpists. When you see how they abuse their votes makes me slightly pine for Thai fake democracy. They shouldn't be in charge of nothing more important than a bingo card - Inshallah.

18 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'd also suggest Farage announces any country taking land from the UK can consider themselves at war with the UK the moment he takes office.

Golly - whilst many Prime Ministers may rather hanker after the kudos and legacy of being acclaimed as a great wartime premier, and undoubtably would enjoy the political capital it can bring, most would wait for a period after coming into office rather than going for broke on day 1!

You would think an apology was in oder from the morons who cheered on Brexit from Thailand and destroyed hundreds of thousands of your hard earned baht with their ignorance. But no they cheer on plastic patriots waving flags and muslims. To protect the kiddies.

To calculate the financial impact on this pensioner, we have to look at two "loss" factors: the Exchange Rate Drop (largely attributed to the post-Brexit referendum volatility) and the Frozen Pension (missing out on the UK's "Triple Lock" increases).

Here is the breakdown of the "Brexit/Frozen" tax for a pensioner who moved to Thailand in February 2014.

1. The Exchange Rate Shift

In February 2014, the British Pound was significantly stronger against the Thai Baht.

• February 2014 Rate: ~54.0 THB per £1

• February 2026 Rate: ~43.1 THB per £1

• The Difference: A loss of 10.9 THB for every single pound exchanged.

---

2. The Monthly Income Loss (Exchange Rate Only)

Let’s look at the income the pensioner started with in 2014 vs. what that same amount of Sterling buys today in Thailand.

• Fixed State Pension (2014 Rate): £113.10 / week (approx. £490 / month)

• Private Pension: £1,000 / month

• Total Monthly Sterling Income: £1,490

Year	Monthly Income (£)	Exchange Rate	Monthly Income (Thai Baht)
2014	£1,490	54.0	80,460 THB
2026	£1,490	43.1	64,219 THB
Loss	—	—	16,241 THB / month

Annual Loss from Exchange Rate: 194,892 THB (~£4,521)

---

3. The "Frozen" State Pension Loss

Because the pensioner lives in Thailand, their State Pension was locked at the 2014 rate. If they had stayed in the UK (or lived in a country with a reciprocal agreement, like the Philippines), their pension would have increased every year.

• Frozen Weekly Rate (2014): £113.10

• Current UK Weekly Rate (2026): ~£185.00 (estimated based on Triple Lock trends to 2026)

• Weekly Shortfall: £71.90

• Monthly Shortfall: £311.56

In 2026 Baht terms (43.1 THB/£), this "frozen" policy costs the pensioner an additional 13,428 THB per month.

---

Summary of Total Monthly "Loss"

When you combine the exchange rate crash and the frozen pension policy, the pensioner’s purchasing power in Thailand has been decimated:

• Currency Devaluation Loss: 16,241 THB

• Frozen Pension Opportunity Loss: 13,428 THB

• Total Monthly "Hit": 29,669 THB

The Verdict: Compared to their starting point in 2014, this pensioner is effectively 29,669 THB ($800+) poorer every month.

In 2014, 80,000+ Baht was a "comfortable expat" lifestyle. In 2026, living on 64,000 Baht with 12 years of Thai inflation on top of the currency crash is why those ASEAN NOW forums are so "low-energy" and angry!

3 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Ending the Tory vandalism of the UK’s economic and security cooperation with the EU is absolutely the right thing to do and is in no sense a U-Turn on BREXIT.

Time to admit there are no ‘warm sunlit uplands’ and the special relationship with the U.S. is one way and abusive.

The 'Special Relationship' has always seemed to be a bit of a one-way street, to me, at least. More a case of 'Jump', to which the reply has always been 'How High?

Just now, doctormann said:

The 'Special Relationship' has always seemed to be a bit of a one-way street, to me, at least. More a case of 'Jump', to which the reply has always been 'How High?

And yet that’s where Farage and his BREXITiers promised the UK would find a deal to replace tariff free trade with the EU.

What they got was the U.S. dictating UK tax policies.

The abuse the U.S. has heaped on the UK since BREXIT is one of the best arguments to rejoin the EU, the damage BREXIT has done to the UK is the other best argument.

Being a supporter of the abuser isn’t a good look.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

He's forging closer links to the EU. Clearly against the spirit of Brexit.

What exactly is this 'spirit of Brexit' in practical terms? A complete severing of all links with the EU? Is that what all Brexiters voted for?

3 minutes ago, RayC said:

What exactly is this 'spirit of Brexit' in practical terms? A complete severing of all links with the EU? Is that what all Brexiters voted for?

I'm done with all this pussy footing around you need to examine their grievances and insert something about globalisation etc etc - it was a cry of pain , blah , blah blah. No it was ignorance from ignorant people being played by machievalleian types who knew exactly what they were voting for - economic dysfunction and vulture crapitlism dancing on the grave of post ww2 prsoperity. They vandlaised my country , my money and my future economic prosperity. When I hear the word Brexit I reach for my gun. Which I don't have. But when the lumpen vote with their oppressors to make things worse they are worthy of disdain and ridicule.

There are several thumbs-down emojis without any comments. If you disagree, please say why rather than reacting with emojis alone.

Thank you.

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

He's forging closer links to the EU. Clearly against the spirit of Brexit. But what you expect from someone who cancels elections because they know they are going to lose them. He's hardly a fan of Democracy.

It doesn't matter, Farage will reverse it all anyway and Starmer's actions will ensure this is the last Labour government ever to disgrace the UK. They're toast. Nice legacy for Starmer. The man who ruined Britain and destroyed Labour for a cushy job in Davos. Most hated PM ever. Nice.

Whoops... I thought you were describing someone else for a minute. The man who recently claimed Bitcoin was a "scam" and then decided cryptocurrency was the perfect way to enrich himself.

It's normal to adapt when the environment changes. Adapt or die. Didn't they teach you that at school?