Huge Brexit row erupts in Commons as Labour told to ‘stand up’ to Macron over fishing

Tensions between Britain and France flared up again today in a fiery Commons debate about defense cooperation and post-Brexit fishing rights. The heated exchange saw Conservative MPs demand a tougher stance against French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of putting fishing disputes ahead of Europe’s collective security.

The row erupted after revelations that Britain has been shut out of a massive £150 billion EU defense fund, with France reportedly leading opposition to UK participation. Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge launched a blistering attack, pointing out the irony that while British troops help defend Europe through NATO and the UK remains Ukraine’s staunchest military supporter, French objections are blocking British defense firms from crucial funding.

“Our nuclear deterrent protects Europe 24/7, our soldiers stand guard in Estonia, and no country has done more for Ukraine’s defense,” Cartlidge thundered across the chamber. “Yet at this critical moment, President Macron prioritizes fishing quotas over continental security?”

Defense Secretary John Healey shot back, telling his Tory counterpart to “drop the Brexit rhetoric” and insisting the government would negotiate new defense partnerships with the EU. But the exchange laid bare growing frustrations about France’s hardline post-Brexit stance, which many see as punishing Britain at the worst possible time for European security.

Behind the political theater lies a serious dilemma. While Britain wants closer defense ties with Europe to counter Russian aggression, France continues linking cooperation to concessions on fishing access – a throwback to the bitter Brexit disputes. The standoff leaves UK defense companies frozen out of lucrative EU contracts even as British taxpayers foot the bill for protecting European security.

With Macron showing no signs of backing down, pressure is building on the Labour government to either take a tougher line with Paris or find alternative alliances. As one weary MP remarked after the debate, “We left the EU, but it seems the fishing wars will never end.” The clash underscores how Brexit’s long shadow continues complicating vital security cooperation at a time when Western unity matters more than ever.