PM could face fresh battles over bill to forge closer ties

Keir Starmer is set to face fresh battles over his EU "reset" as the government plans to lay its bill that could hand ministers significant powers to forge closer regulatory ties.

- Jessica Elgot

The legislation aims to introduce an alignment mechanism for the agrifoods deal and electricity trading scheme agreed with EU leaders at a summit last May but still being negotiated.

The bill will hand the government 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. It is expected to be introduced in the next few months and carried over into the next parliamentary session.

The Liberal Democrats have already vowed to amend the bill to bring forward a binding vote on a customs union. More than a dozen Labour MPs rebelled when the Lib Dems held their last opposition day vote on joining a customs union.

Opposition politicians are likely to raise significant objections if the bill hands ministers sweeping powers, which is also likely to mean obstruction in the House of Lords.