British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is preparing legislation that would allow the UK to adopt new EU laws without full parliamentary votes, aiming to speed alignment with European rules in key areas such as trade, energy and food standards.
The proposed legislation would create a fast-track system enabling ministers to introduce new rules as secondary legislation, reducing scrutiny by MPs and peers.
The government argues the move would make it easier for the UK to “dynamically” align with evolving European standards, particularly in sectors linked to future agreements with the EU, including food regulation, carbon pricing and electricity trading.
Under the plan, Parliament would still have “a role” in examining new measures but its ability to amend or block them would be more limited than under full legislative votes.
Ministers say closer alignment with EU rules is necessary to reduce trade barriers and support economic stability, especially amid ongoing global uncertainty.
Speaking in Parliament, Keir Starmer said the economic and security benefits of rebuilding ties with Europe were “too big to ignore”, pointing to recent global shocks including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
He also cited instability in international relations, including the policies of Donald Trump, as a reason for strengthening cooperation with European partners.
However, the proposals have drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, including the Conservatives and Reform UK, who argue the changes could weaken parliamentary sovereignty by shifting more power to ministers.
Concerns have also been raised over scrutiny, particularly after Labour abolished the Commons committee that previously examined new EU legislation.
The approach would mirror processes used before Brexit, when the UK regularly adopted EU laws to meet its obligations as a member state, but without having a vote in shaping those rules.
The legislation is expected to be introduced later this year, setting up a renewed political debate over the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.
Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, with officials from both sides working to fin...
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time bein...
At least 14 infants were killed when a fire broke out at a state-run hospital in Pakistan's capital Islam...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Kyiv wants peace but will not surrender to Russia, as foreign leaders joined Independence Day events marking 35 years since Ukraine’s independence.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time being”, Axios reports. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have resumed talks on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, with officials from both sides working to finalise lists of people who could be released, Russia's state news agency TASS said Wednesday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 26th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. President Donald Trump has formally sent a landmark nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, opening a new phase in a deal that has already sparked debate over nuclear proliferation and Riyadh's ambitions.
The Trump administration has temporarily suspended some visa appointment scheduling at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world as part of a new training initiative for consular staff, adding another layer to the administration's broader immigration policy overhaul.
The United States has launched what it describes as its most aggressive sanctions campaign yet against Iran, expanding secondary sanctions and targeting sectors ranging from shipping and aviation to technology and finance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment