Starmer braces for parliamentary clashes over forthcoming EU “reset” legislation

“The Daily Baku” reports that the planned bill is designed to establish an alignment mechanism for agrifoods and electricity trading agreements that have been politically agreed with EU leaders but are still under negotiation. It would allow ministers to implement these deals while also creating a framework for closer regulatory cooperation.

Crucially, the legislation would empower ministers to go beyond the agreements reached so far. This would give future governments the authority to align UK standards with EU rules in additional sectors and to keep pace with new EU regulations as they emerge.

The government intends to introduce the bill alongside ongoing talks with Brussels, meaning MPs would begin debating and voting on the legislation before the final details of the agreements are settled.

Officials acknowledge that the bill is likely to provoke significant opposition but see it as an opportunity for Starmer to make the case that closer ties with Europe are essential to revitalising the UK economy. The legislation is expected to be introduced within the next few months and carried over into the following parliamentary session.

The Liberal Democrats have already pledged to seek amendments that would force a binding parliamentary vote on joining a customs union. More than a dozen Labour MPs previously rebelled when the Lib Dems raised the issue during an opposition day debate.

Opposition figures are also expected to raise serious concerns if the bill grants ministers broad discretionary powers, potentially leading to resistance and delays in the House of Lords.

Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrats’ Cabinet Office spokesperson, warned: “For a bill of this scale and importance, it would be a shameful betrayal of voters to outline only a vague direction and then fill in the details later through ministerial decree.”

A spokesperson for Starmer said on Monday that the UK could pursue further sector-by-sector access to the EU market — often compared to a “Swiss-style” arrangement — and that the government was prepared to pay for such access.

“The agreements we are negotiating will deliver major benefits for British taxpayers by supporting businesses, protecting jobs and putting more money into people’s pockets,” the spokesperson said. “Taken together, they are expected to add nearly £9bn to the UK economy by 2040.”

They added that while trade-offs would be unavoidable, the government would make pragmatic decisions in the national interest. “As a sovereign country, we will choose what works best for the UK public,” they said.

On Sunday, Starmer indicated that the UK could seek deeper sectoral integration with the EU single market beyond what was agreed in May, arguing that this approach was preferable to joining a customs union, which he said could undermine other trade agreements.

The prime minister has already signed a political agreement paving the way for a new agrifoods deal. Known as an SPS agreement, it would significantly reduce red tape on food and drink exports by removing some routine checks on animal and plant products.

In exchange, the UK would accept a degree of dynamic alignment with EU food standards and allow a role for the European court of justice in overseeing the agreement.

Both sides have expressed optimism that the final agrifoods deal could be concluded in the second half of the year. The UK has also begun talks on rejoining the EU’s internal electricity market, though EU leaders have made clear that access would come at a financial cost. Disagreements over funding have already derailed negotiations over UK participation in the EU’s €150bn Security Action for Europe (Safe) defence fund.

Starmer told the BBC on Sunday that while he had previously supported a customs union, circumstances had changed. “A lot of water has gone under the bridge,” he said, adding that such a move would jeopardise trade deals with India and the US. “Further alignment is better pursued through the single market rather than a customs union.”

His remarks were widely seen as a response to ministers, including health secretary Wes Streeting, who have argued that rejoining a customs union could deliver significant economic benefits.

The Conservatives said they would demand full parliamentary scrutiny of any final agreement with the EU. The shadow foreign secretary, Priti Patel, accused Starmer of reopening Brexit divisions. “Keir Starmer entered government without a plan and lacks the resolve to confront the country’s real challenges,” she said. “Instead, he is reviving old Brexit arguments and seeking vague, sweeping powers in the misguided belief it will boost his popularity.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said his party would use the bill to force Labour MPs to take a clear stance on closer relations with Europe. The party plans to table an amendment requiring the government to begin negotiations on a bespoke UK-EU customs union by 2030 and to secure a meaningful parliamentary vote at either committee or report stage.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The UK-EU reset is strengthening diplomatic, economic and security cooperation and is expected to be worth £9bn to the UK economy by 2040. Legislation will be introduced to deliver this, with further details announced in due course.”