There are 9 days to save our fishing industry from Sir Keir Starmer’s ‘EU reset’
Below is just a small sample of what people have told us about how they feel about the UK’s fishing industry – particularly in light of some of the suggestions circulating that the Prime Minister is preparing to throw away fishing as a bargaining chip in return for some of the other agreements he wants from the EU.
The chance finally to take back our waters when the current deal ends in June next year may disappear in his ‘great EU reset’ summit, which takes place in London in just over one week’s time (19 May 2025).
The comments below about the UK Fisheries Campaign and the fishing industry have come to us from our Members, members of the public, fishermen, politicians, and from what has been written and said about us in the media and on TV. We think Sir Keir Starmer would do well to take careful note of the strength of feeling.
Please have a read and then please add your support by joining the Campaign in one of the many ways offered. Thank you!
What the media says:
“UK fishermen blow whistle as EU boats ‘plunder UK seas and load up lorries for continent without checks’” – GB News
“Keir Starmer’s huge Brexit fishing mistake — and why he must channel Donald Trump” – The Daily Express
“EXPOSED: EU fishermen ‘systematically destroying’ Britain’s seas while the authorities turn a blind eye” – GB News
“Fury erupts as monstrous EU vessels rake in thousands of UK fish despite Brexit” – The Daily Express
“Keir Starmer has been warned not to give up Britain’s post-Brexit fishing rights in a bid to strengthen ties with the EU” – The Daily Express
What politicians and commentators say
“Now is the time to ramp up post-Brexit protection of UK waters in EU talks” – The Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP in the Express
“I am delighted to see the launch of the UK Fisheries Campaign and am pleased to announce my full support. Fishermen are deeply concerned about what is continuing to happen in our waters, and serious questions must be answered.” – Tim Eagle MSP in Fishing News
“The Common Fisheries Policy halved our fleet, destroying a great industry…. The new government should now introduce policies to rebuild our fishing fleet instead of giving way to more EU demands to control our fishery.” – The Rt Hon Sir John Redwood, former Secretary of State
“The upcoming review of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU is probably the most important opportunity we will have in this decade to improve fisheries management… Our best chance will come from speaking with a single voice.” – The Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP in Fishing News
“The EU still has access to 75% of the UK’s fishing grounds. But still, they want more. This should be resisted with every sinew. And fishing quotas should never be connected to defence. The fact that the EU wants this, shows how unserious the EU is as a defence partner.” – Catherine McBride OBE, free market economist and former member of the government’s independent Trade and Agriculture Commission
And what the public says:
“So glad to see the launch of the new campaign – badly needed!” – VB
“I am livid that Starmer is apparently considering surrendering some of our fishing rights to the French and he must be stopped.” – K, London
“I appreciate your work in preventing another surrender to bullies in the EU.. We cannot rely on this government nor the previous administration.” – KP
“I pray that my country will not capitulate to pressure from countries within the EU who wish to share (plunder) our national fishing waters. Our government is the weakest on record and are no match for the wiles of the French etc. We appear weak and irresolute in negotiations. Do not give away any of our hard won rights under any circumstances.” – LP
“I support any campaign that will bring more fishing back under our control.” – KH
“I have seen the results of successive Governments on the Fishing Villages, towns and Cities in the UK and this decimation has to stop now. UK waters are for UK fishing only. Why is this still an issue when we have supposedly ‘left’ the EU. The present Government seems to want to cosy up to the EU and cannot be trusted not to let the Fishing industry of the UK continue to be plundered by foreign ships.” – RH
“This is a battle to be won. It feels like the Brexit campaign all over again. It’s good that the Express is already helping. It needs the Mail, Telegraph, Spectator, Star and particularly the Sun to take up the struggle as well. Plus, fishing is more important to the Scots than to the English, according to my googling research, so to have the Scots onside as well would be good.” – BL
NOTE: The UK Fisheries Campaign is working throughout this weekend, as a result of information received from Brussels suggesting they will indeed demand an unacceptable deal on fishing before they will agree to any of the Prime Minister’s other desired outcomes.
We will be publishing more on this very soon.
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