Politics LIVE: Starmer trying to resurrect May’s ‘disastrous’ Brexit deal that would keep Britain ‘in the tractor beam’ of EU regulators
Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost has said Sir Keir Starmer is attempting to resurrect Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
Lord Frost claimed a law being introduced by the Government would “keep this country in the tractor beam” of regulators in Brussels. It comes as Parliament held its first debate on legislation that would overhaul the existing rules around product safety and certification.
The Bill, tabled by Labour ministers, includes a clause that would mean all UK laws “can be updated to recognise new or updated EU product regulations.”
Lord Frost told peers: “It is simply the beginning of a path in which this country slips back closer, without voters noticing, to single market-like trade arrangements…I fully expect that that is what the Government will try to do – the resurrection of the disastrous Chequers proposals to keep this country in lockstep with the EU.”
The Prime Minister Keir said he wants to “reset” ties with Europe and secure a deal that will smooth cross-Channel trade.
One of the plans include a proposed agreement on agricultural exports that would be likely to see Britain have to sign up to adopting EU rules on food safety. However, he promised in Labour’s manifesto not to push Britain back into the single market or customs union or accept the return of free movement.
Government minister Lord Leong said the bill was about giving consumers “confidence that what you buy is safe.”
He added: “This Bill will underpin the UK’s position at the forefront of international trade and enable the recognition of EU product requirements where it is in the UK’s interests to do so. It supports consumers, businesses and economic growth.”
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Lammy to travel to Bahrain and Jordan to discuss ceasefire
The Foreign Secretary will repeat calls for de-escalation in the Middle East during a visit to the region. The visit comes days after the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel that sparked the latest round of the conflict, and amid reports that the Israeli military is expanding its ground operation in Lebanon.
He said: “The situation is incredibly dangerous and further escalation or miscalculation in the region is in no one’s interests. I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan and see first hand our combined efforts towards building long-term security and stability in the Middle East.
“We must not waver at this critical period to achieve ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages.”
Israel’s subsequent offensive in Gaza following October 7 has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave’s health ministry, displaced nearly all its 2.3 million people, many of them multiple times, and brought a humanitarian crisis with hunger widespread and healthcare and critical infrastructure breaking down.
Tory leadership hopefuls battle for MPs’ support in hours before final ballot
Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch face a battle to make it in to the final stage of the Conservative leadership election, as MPs prepare to vote for the last time on Wednesday.
Former home secretary James Cleverly looks all but assured of being one of the final two candidates after coming top of Tuesday’s third round ballot with 39 votes. But just one vote separates Jenrick and Badenoch, on 31 and 30 votes respectively.
Both are seen as potential standard bearers of the right of the Conservative party, and only one is likely to go through to the final round of the contest, leaving them just hours to secure more backers from among their parliamentary colleagues before Wednesday’s vote.