![\"Keir](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/keir-starmer.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSir Keir Starmer has thrown down the gauntlet to Nigel Farage as the Prime Minister braces for a new Brexit battle with the Reform UK leader.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister, who campaigned for a second referendum as Jeremy Corbyn’s Remain-supporting Shadow Brexit Secretary in 2016, hinted yesterday that the UK is looking to pursue greater access to the EU’s single market.<\/p>\n
Despite promising voters Labour would not rejoin the single market or customs union, Sir Keir said there are other areas beyond the deals the UK is negotiating on food, agriculture and energy market alignment that he will consider on a sector-by-sector basis.<\/p>\n
Labour strategists hope a new Brexit battle will help Sir Keir take on Mr Farage, with opinion polls suggesting a shift in support for rejoining the Brussels bloc.<\/p>\n
No10 insiders also believe the Reform UK leader is vulnerable on the economy and foreign policy.<\/p>\n
However, Sir Keir was dealt a blow yesterday after a new Merlin Strategy poll suggested Mr Farage is the most trusted to run the economy.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister might look to kick-start negotiations for a closer relationship with the EU in an upcoming UK-EU summit.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the BBC yesterday, Sir Keir said: \u201cIf it\u2019s in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the Single Market, then we should consider that, we should go that far.”<\/p>\n
Sir Keir has hinted that the UK is looking to pursue greater access to the EU’s single market<\/p>\n
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“We\u2019re already aligning on energy, reconnecting to energy in Europe on emissions, but I think the single market further alignment, as I say, if it\u2019s in our interest to do so, we should take that step.”<\/p>\n
Mr Farage has previously argued such a pivot is “breaking faith with his manifesto pledges on the EU”.<\/p>\n
Dame Priti Patel said Sir Keir is \u201csurrendering our freedom\u201d in a \u201cdesperate\u201d bid to appease his backbenchers with closer alignment with the EU single market.<\/p>\n
The shadow foreign secretary said: \u201cLabour\u2019s Brexit betrayal is becoming clearer by the day.<\/p>\n
![\"Nigel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/nigel-farage.jpg\")
Anew Merlin Strategy poll suggested Mr Farage is the most trusted to run the economy<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn a desperate bid to appease his backbenchers, Keir Starmer is pursuing alignment with the single market \u2013 surrendering our freedom to cut regulation and strike our own trade deals.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly the Conservatives will hold Labour to account for trying to undo the democratic decision of the British people.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is not the first time in recent weeks the Prime Minister has been accused of “betraying” Brexit.<\/p>\n