Will the new year bring Sir Keir Starmer's most brazen act of Brexit betrayal yet?

FOR many people, January 31, 2020, is etched into their memories, the historic day when Britain finally left the EU after 47 years' membership.

- MARTYN BROWN

But as far as memorable dates go, February 3, 2025, doesn't immediately jump out as being remarkable.

So what is the significance of this particular mid-winter Monday, some five years after Brexit Day? It just so happens to be when Keir Starmer becomes the first Prime Minister this decade to attend a summit of EU leaders.

Sir Keir regards it as a natural continuation of his efforts to "reset" relations with the bloc. But many see this as his most brazen act of Brexit betrayal yet.

Since he entered Downing Street last July the Labour leader has systematically worked his way through an ever-growing list of ways to hitch Britain to the European bandwagon once again.

His invitation to Brussels follows months of fawning diplomacy during which the Government has overtly courted trading and security partnerships with the EU.

Senior ministers have made several visits to meetings of their European counterparts, with Rachel Reeves becoming the first Chancellor since Brexit to attend a meeting of EU finance ministers this week, while David Lammy met with foreign ministers earlier in the year.

February's trip to the Belgian capital was announced after Sir Keir met European Council president Antonio Costa for a cosy tete-a-tete in No10 on Thursday.

Downing Street said the pair also looked ahead to the EU-UK summit in early 2025, saying it would "provide an important opportunity to make further progress on key areas to deliver tangible benefits for the people of the UK and the EU".

This came after Sir Keir and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen agreed to hold a series of annual summits between Britain and the EU when they met in October.

In a public show of his desire for closer ties with Brussels, the Prime Minister boldly declared he was "putting our relationship with Europe on a more solid, stable position.