{"id":1932962,"date":"2026-05-12T09:29:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1932962"},"modified":"2026-05-12T09:29:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T06:29:22","slug":"farage-surge-makes-starmers-eu-push-more-important-than-ever-uk-minister-tells-euronews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1932962","title":{"rendered":"Farage surge makes Starmer&#8217;s EU push &#8216;more important than ever,&#8217; UK minister tells Euronews"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/47\/62\/1200x675_cmsv2_53226af2-dd63-55be-b001-6822db83340c-9754762.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2893402-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2893402\" data-cid=\"9756908\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893402-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/62\/58\/189x106_cmsv2_77f05b25-480c-51c6-9bed-c14c41163d0a-9046258.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU and the US clinched a trade agreement in July 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU negotiators find deal on key clauses of the EU-US deal\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893070-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2893070\" data-cid=\"9755679\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893070-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/52\/72\/189x106_cmsv2_5ca9008d-9dbd-5ac8-8443-02900e493e12-9755272.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Israeli Yarden Bibas, 34, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since 7 October 2023, is escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Israel<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hamas &#8216;systematically&#8217; used sexual violence on 7 October, report finds\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893250-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2893250\" data-cid=\"9756224\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893250-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/62\/24\/189x106_cmsv2_e6a2759a-ea8e-5689-8bc8-c4038909d159-9756224.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A farmer fertilises a field in the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to use carbon tax revenues into farm subsidies in fertiliser crisis\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893406-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2893406\" data-cid=\"9756936\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893406-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/69\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_c49a3b01-6586-5c1c-9a7e-f5424b10d3b2-9756936.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Motorbikes drive past a billboard with graphic showing the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 6 May 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Economy<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran&#8217;s economy is being tested by war, blockades and soaring inflation\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893402-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2893402\" data-cid=\"9756908\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893402-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/62\/58\/189x106_cmsv2_77f05b25-480c-51c6-9bed-c14c41163d0a-9046258.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The EU and the US clinched a trade agreement in July 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Exclusive: EU negotiators find deal on key clauses of the EU-US deal\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893070-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2893070\" data-cid=\"9755679\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893070-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/52\/72\/189x106_cmsv2_5ca9008d-9dbd-5ac8-8443-02900e493e12-9755272.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Israeli Yarden Bibas, 34, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since 7 October 2023, is escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Israel<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hamas &#8216;systematically&#8217; used sexual violence on 7 October, report finds\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893250-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2893250\" data-cid=\"9756224\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893250-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/62\/24\/189x106_cmsv2_e6a2759a-ea8e-5689-8bc8-c4038909d159-9756224.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A farmer fertilises a field in the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU to use carbon tax revenues into farm subsidies in fertiliser crisis\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893406-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2893406\" data-cid=\"9756936\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893406-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/69\/36\/189x106_cmsv2_c49a3b01-6586-5c1c-9a7e-f5424b10d3b2-9756936.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Motorbikes drive past a billboard with graphic showing the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 6 May 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Economy<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran&#8217;s economy is being tested by war, blockades and soaring inflation\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Farage surge makes Starmer&#8217;s EU push &#8216;more important than ever,&#8217; UK minister tells Euronews<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;xa9gjsm&quot;,&quot;articleId&quot;:2892950,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Farage surge makes Starmer's EU push 'more important than ever,' UK minister tells Euronews&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/43\/80\/39\/01\/SHD_PYR_4380391_20260512071055.mp4&quot;,&quot;programId&quot;:&quot;europe-today&quot;,&quot;player&quot;:&quot;dailymotion&quot;,&quot;geoBlock&quot;:[&quot;&quot;],&quot;sources&quot;:[],&quot;description&quot;:&quot;Crushing local election loss is piling pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as rising support for the anti-immigration Reform UK exposes growing public frustration over migration and the economy.&quot;,&quot;isLive&quot;:false,&quot;articleUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/05\/12\/farage-surge-makes-starmers-eu-push-more-important-than-ever-uk-minister-tells-euronews&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:262520}\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/47\/62\/1536x864_cmsv2_53226af2-dd63-55be-b001-6822db83340c-9754762.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Stephen Doughty, UK Minister of State for Europe &amp; Angela Skujins, Euronews\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Stephen Doughty, UK Minister of State for Europe &amp; Angela Skujins, Euronews<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAngela Skujins\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1778578162\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-05-12 11:29:22 +02:00\">12\/05\/2026 &#8211; 11:29 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"13:42\">13:42<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span 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width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Crushing local election loss is piling pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as rising support for the anti-immigration Reform UK exposes growing public frustration over migration and the economy.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty said Prime Minister Keir Starmer has \u201caccepted responsibility\u201d for Labour\u2019s disastrous local election results, while accusing the hard-right Reform UK party of misleading voters with \u201cfalse promises\u201d.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Speaking on Euronews morning show <em>Europe Today<\/em>, Doughty blamed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for promoting what he described as unrealistic claims about Brexit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe said Brexit would make us richer \u2014 it hasn\u2019t. He said it would bring down migration. In fact, migration went up,\u201d Doughty told Euronews. <\/p>\n<p>Reform added more than 1,300 council seats across England and made advances in devolved elections in Wales and Scotland, while Labour lost more than 1,100 local seats and surrendered control of councils it had held for decades.<\/p>\n<p>Facing mounting pressure from within his own party, Starmer vowed on Monday to prove Labour\u2019s \u201cdoubters\u201d wrong and promised to \u201cface up to the big challenges\u201d confronting the country.<\/p>\n<p>Doughty acknowledged voter frustration, saying many people still felt under financial pressure amid global instability and rising energy costs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople are still feeling the pinch in their pocket,\u201d he said. \u201cWe as a government have to be seen to be responding to that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite Labour\u2019s setbacks, Starmer has continued to push for closer cooperation with the European Union, arguing that Britain must strengthen ties with European partners on security, defence and the economy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation,\u201d Starmer said in a speech following the election results.<\/p>\n<p>Doughty defended the government\u2019s European strategy, insisting the UK must work more closely with allies \u201cin what is a very turbulent world\u201d ahead of the next UK-EU summit, expected in summer 2026.<\/p>\n<p>While Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU, the customs union or the single market, the UK has increasingly aligned itself with Brussels on foreign and security policy.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, the UK and EU confirmed discussions over possible British support for the bloc\u2019s \u20ac90 billion loan package for Ukraine in its war against Russia.<\/p>\n<p>Doughty rejected suggestions Britain\u2019s participation amounted to \u201cpay to play\u201d, describing it instead as \u201ca strategic investment\u201d in European security.<\/p>\n<p>He said the UK government\u2019s \u00a31.2 million (\u20ac1.38 million) commitment to efforts aimed at locating and returning abducted Ukrainian children taken during Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s the most heinous part of this,\u201d Doughty said, accusing Moscow of attempting to erase Ukrainian culture, language and identity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  UK PM Starmer vows to put &#8216;Britain at the heart of Europe&#8217; in key post-polls speech<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  A decade of Brexit: Britain falls behind peers in trade and growth<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  UK to limit financial aid for employable asylum seekers under latest reforms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Starmer<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  United Kingdom<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893321-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893321\" data-cid=\"9756482\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893321-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/64\/82\/320x180_cmsv2_e60e34d0-400e-52d4-b36f-fd10fe82a1ed-9756482.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump waves from the stairs of Air Force One as he boards at Joint Base Andrews, 12 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump arrives in Beijing for high-stakes summit with Xi<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div 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m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893342\" data-cid=\"9756579\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893342-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/65\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_29bcb515-a2d5-5b36-85a1-77b5a23c1a20-9756579.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE: A crane unloads metal rolls from cargo ship Kholmogory arrived from St Petersburg at the port of Kaliningrad, 30 June 2022 \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian ship sunk off Spain carried nuclear reactors for North Korea<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893336-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893336\" data-cid=\"9756571\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893336-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/65\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_9d3a6c73-2593-5be9-b4ee-ee6d3789a909-9756571.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, left, European Council President Antonio Costa, center, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen laugh during a press co\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European economy is growing the fastest in 2026?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2893394-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893394\" 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id=\"abe-2893321-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893321\" data-cid=\"9756482\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893321-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/64\/82\/320x180_cmsv2_e60e34d0-400e-52d4-b36f-fd10fe82a1ed-9756482.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump waves from the stairs of Air Force One as he boards at Joint Base Andrews, 12 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump arrives in Beijing for high-stakes summit with Xi<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891398-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891398\" data-cid=\"9747487\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891398-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/74\/87\/320x180_cmsv2_9e28c1df-6fbc-5b66-837f-03100b5133fc-9747487.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Vladimir Putin has admitted difficulties in the Russian economy.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    After 20 rounds of sanctions, the EU sees cracks in Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893342-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893342\" data-cid=\"9756579\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893342-label-pos4-top-stories\" 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/65\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_9d3a6c73-2593-5be9-b4ee-ee6d3789a909-9756571.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, left, European Council President Antonio Costa, center, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen laugh during a press co\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European economy is growing the fastest in 2026?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893394-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893394\" data-cid=\"9756864\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2893394-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892282\" data-cid=\"9751943\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which EU capitals have minimum wages that don\u2019t cover rent?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892894-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2892894\" data-cid=\"9754462\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The strongest El Ni\u00f1o on record is brewing. Here&#8217;s what could happen<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2879110-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2879110\" data-cid=\"9688373\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rare Caucasian horse breed gains renewed attention in Germany<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2893125-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2893125\" data-cid=\"9755583\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    What we know about the man believed to be hantavirus patient zero<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty said Prime Minister Keir Starmer has \u201caccepted responsibility\u201d for Labour\u2019s disastrous local election results, while accusing the hard-right Reform UK party of misleading voters with \u201cfalse promises\u201d.Speaking on Euronews morning show Europe Today, Doughty blamed Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for promoting what he described as unrealistic claims about Brexit.\u201cHe said Brexit would make us richer \u2014 it hasn\u2019t. He said it would bring down migration. In fact, migration went up,\u201d Doughty told Euronews.Reform added more than 1,300 council seats across England and made advances in devolved elections in Wales and Scotland, while Labour lost more than 1,100 local seats and surrendered control of councils it had held for decades.Facing mounting pressure from within his own party, Starmer vowed on Monday to prove Labour\u2019s \u201cdoubters\u201d wrong and promised to \u201cface up to the big challenges\u201d confronting the country.Doughty acknowledged voter frustration, saying many people still felt under financial pressure amid global instability and rising energy costs.\u201cPeople are still feeling the pinch in their pocket,\u201d he said. \u201cWe as a government have to be seen to be responding to that.\u201dDespite Labour\u2019s setbacks, Starmer has continued to push for closer cooperation with the European Union, arguing that Britain must strengthen ties with European partners on security, defence and the economy.\u201cThis is nothing less than a battle for the soul of our nation,\u201d Starmer said in a speech following the election results.Doughty defended the government\u2019s European strategy, insisting the UK must work more closely with allies \u201cin what is a very turbulent world\u201d ahead of the next UK-EU summit, expected in summer 2026.While Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU, the customs union or the single market, the UK has increasingly aligned itself with Brussels on foreign and security policy.Last week, the UK and EU confirmed discussions over possible British support for the bloc\u2019s \u20ac90 billion loan package for Ukraine in its war against Russia.Doughty rejected suggestions Britain\u2019s participation amounted to \u201cpay to play\u201d, describing it instead as \u201ca strategic investment\u201d in European security.He said the UK government\u2019s \u00a31.2 million (\u20ac1.38 million) commitment to efforts aimed at locating and returning abducted Ukrainian children taken during Russia\u2019s full-scale invasion.\u201cThat\u2019s the most heinous part of this,\u201d Doughty said, accusing Moscow of attempting to erase Ukrainian culture, language and identity.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/12\/farage-surge-makes-starmers-eu-push-more-important-than-ever-uk-minister-tells-euronews&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/47\/62\/1200x675_cmsv2_53226af2-dd63-55be-b001-6822db83340c-9754762.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Exclusive: EU negotiators find deal on key clauses of the EU-US deal Israel Hamas &#8216;systematically&#8217; used sexual violence on 7 October, report finds Europe News EU to use carbon tax revenues into farm subsidies in fertiliser crisis Economy Iran&#8217;s economy is being tested by war, blockades and soaring inflation Europe [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1932962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1932962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1932962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1932962\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1932962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1932962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1932962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}