Sir Keir Starmer is sending two of his closest allies to the heart of the EU today in a desperate bid to “fix the problem” of the “far-right”.
David Lammy and Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, have been dispatched to Strasbourg for urgent talks on reforming the highly controversial European Convention on Human Rights.
The PM is pushing to rescue the treaty and make it “evolve to reflect the challenges of the 21st century” – warning that if it does not, “populists will win”.
His poll-topping rivals Reform UK and his Tory opposition have both pledged to leave the Convention entirely, arguing it is being misused to fuel Britain’s migrant crisis.
In a joint article with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen in The Guardian, Sir Keir pledged that migration “must be orderly, managed and sustainable”.
They said they would “act”, not “exploit these issues and stoke grievances as some do”.
The pair continued: “Together, we are calling on our friends across Europe to go further in tackling these shared challenges.
“Europe has faced big tests before and we have overcome them by acting together. Now we must do so again. Otherwise, the forces that seek to divide us will grow stronger.
“So our message is this: as responsible, progressive Governments we will deliver the change that people are crying out for. We will control our borders to protect our democracies – and make our nations stronger than ever in the years to come.”
Labour has pledged to change how Article 8, the right to a private life, is interpreted in domestic law.
Mr Lammy is set to argue for changes to Article 3 in a bid to make deportation from Britain easier.
The Deputy PM will renew Britain’s vows with the ECHR – and is expected to argue that pulling out would be a “fake solution”.
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Hours before Donald Trump’s attack… Keir Starmer receives special invitation to US after meeting with ambassador
A few hours before Donald Trump launched an attack on Labour’s policies at a campaign rally, Sir Keir Starmer met with the US ambassador, Warren Stephens.
Mr Stephens said the duo met to “resume our ongoing diplomatic conversation about ways to maximize the US-UK partnership to advance our shared interests”.
In a slight repreive for the PM after the President’s recent attacks on “decaying” European countries, the ambassador said the White House was committed to America’s international partnerships.
“We discussed a full range of Donald Trump’s priorities, particularly, the Trump administration’s commitment to Aukus, the desire to finalise the trade agreements signed at President Trump’s historic second State Visit, our appreciation for the UK’s contribution to the Gaza peace plan, and our continued support for Ukraine,” he said.
“In looking forward to 2026, I invited the Prime Minister to join our year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.”
Donald Trump directly attacks Keir Starmer’s Britain at campaign rally in fresh international headache for PM
Donald Trump directly attacked Sir Keir Starmer’s energy and migration policies last night at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The President told frenzied crowds: “Look at Norway, they have a section of the North Sea… It’s a very rich country. They have a tremendous worth because of the North Sea.
“But the UK… If they don’t go back to oil, I think a lot of bad things are happening to the UK.
“You know that their immigration policies are so bad. It’s so bad. Destroying our beautiful Europe.”
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Ministers told to accept 40,000 migrants under contentious EU mobility scheme
Britain would be able to let in more than 40,000 EU migrants under the EU’s “youth mobility scheme”, new research has revealed.
A study by the UK Trade and Business Commission has found that 44,000 more young Britons left the UK as part of similar schemes with “Canzuk” allies Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
That has left the Home Office with visa “headroom” – which could be filled by European youths without smashing Labour’s pledge to curb net migration.
But the EU is said not to want a cap whatsoever.
“We do not see the need for setting a quota or cap,” one Brussels diplomat told The Times.
“What is wrong with our young Europeans? We do not have a problem with young Brits.”
A UK Government spokesman instead said the scheme should be “balanced, time-limited and capped”.
Back in London… French presidential frontrunner plots alliance with Nigel Farage to end migrant crisis for good – with Royal Navy to stop the boats
Mr Bardella pledged to change France’s border policy to support Britain in tackling the Channel small boats crisis | X/J_BARDELLA
France’s presidential frontrunner Jordan Bardella is moving to forge an alliance with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to “restore Europe’s borders” after the pair held talks in London on Tuesday.
Mr Bardella, the leader of the National Rally party, pledged to change France’s border policy to support Britain in tackling the Channel small boats crisis should he secure victory in next year’s elections.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the 30-year-old said he would support joint patrols with Britain and give the UK Border Force the green light to carry out “pushbacks” in the Channel.
He met Mr Farage on Tuesday, labelling him a “pioneer” who fought for Britain’s independence from the EU.
The National Rally leader described the talks as preparations for governing.
And over lunch, according to The Spectator, Mr Farage told him he would instruct the Royal Navy to turn back small boats in the Channel – one of Reform’s longest-held campaign promises…
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