Starmer prepares for parliamentary battles over his EU reset' policy

"Keir Starmer is set to face fresh battles over his EU reset with his plans to lay a bill that could lead to closer regulatory ties with Brussels. The legislation aims to introduce an alignment mechanism for the agrifoods and electricity trading deals agreed with EU leaders but still under negotiation. The bill will hand ministers powers to go beyond what the UK has agreed so far, giving future administrations the power to potentially align standards in other sectors and keep pace with new EU regulation."

"The government plans for the bill to run in parallel with the negotiations with Brussels, meaning MPs will start voting on it before the deal is finalised. Government sources said they were braced for major battles but it would be an opportunity for Starmer to defend closer ties with Europe as a way of reviving the UK economy. The bill is expected to be introduced in the next few months and carried over into the next parliamentary session."

"Opposition politicians are likely to raise significant objections if the bill hands ministers sweeping powers, potentially leading to obstruction in the House of Lords. The Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson, Lisa Smart, said: On a bill of this scale and scope, it would be a shameful betrayal of voters to simply sketch out the vague thrust then fill the details out later with the stroke of a ministerial pen."

Keir Starmer plans to introduce a bill that could create closer regulatory ties with Brussels by establishing an alignment mechanism for agrifoods and electricity trading deals. The legislation would grant ministers powers to exceed current UK agreements, allowing future administrations to align standards in other sectors and keep pace with new EU regulation. The government intends the bill to run alongside ongoing negotiations so MPs will vote before a final deal. The Liberal Democrats plan amendments including a binding customs union vote. Opposition MPs and the House of Lords may object to sweeping ministerial powers. The bill is expected within months and to be carried into the next parliamentary session.

Read at www.theguardian.com