EU-UK deal a ‘lost opportunity’ that could have gone further, says Varadkar

The reset deal agreed by the European Union and the United Kingdom was a “lost opportunity” that could have gone much further than it did, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

The former Fine Gael leader said the agreement struck earlier this week was “underwhelming”, partly because the UK Labour government appeared afraid of arch-Brexiteer Nigel Farage.

The EU and UK agreed a deal to “reset” the tumultuous relationship of the Brexit era. It extends EU fishing access in British waters, reduces border checks on agri-food products, includes closer co-operation on energy supply and defence spending, and will allow British travellers to use electronic passport gates when entering EU states, so to avoid lengthy queues.

“What we saw yesterday was very positive. After nine years of the EU and the UK drifting apart, we’re now drifting slowly closer together again,” Mr Varadkar told a panel talk in Brussels.

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There was a concern that a different UK government elected in several years could unravel some of what was agreed, he said.

“Fear of Nigel Farage and reopening the Brexit debate is so strong in Britain that that’s determining the pace, and I think that’s really regrettable,” he said.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during an election campaign event last year in Newton Abbot, England. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster/ Getty Images

However, if British prime minister Keir Starmer turned around his low poll numbers and was re-elected for a second term, he might be “braver” and drop some existing red lines, such as refusing to rejoin the EU customs union.

The former politician said the new deal could have been more ambitious. “I think it is a lost opportunity; it could have gone much further,” he said.

Reflecting on the Brexit years, Mr Varadkar said former British prime minister Boris Johnson was “not trustworthy”, which made negotiations between the EU and UK difficult.

“I think there is trust now, I’ve seen the relationship change since the new government was elected in Britain,” he said.

The panel talk was organised by Penta, a US consultancy firm, who hired Mr Varadkar to work in an advisory role earlier this year.

Mr Varadkar said he feels it is likely some deal will be struck between the EU and US president Donald Trump to scale back trade tariffs introduced by the White House.

The former taoiseach said that whatever was agreed would still be “less favourable” than the trading arrangements before Mr Trump returned to office.