Starmer Seeks Closer EU Ties With New Partnership Bill

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is preparing legislation to strengthen the UK’s relationship with the European Union, as it seeks to rebuild economic ties with Brussels without reversing Brexit.

The European Partnership Bill was announced in the King’s Speech, in which King Charles III set out the government’s legislative program for the new parliamentary session. The bill is intended to create a framework for implementing current and future agreements between Britain and the EU.

Starmer is pressing ahead with closer cooperation as he faces growing pressure inside the Labour Party after heavy local election losses. Despite calls for his resignation, he has argued that more pragmatic relations with Europe are essential to Britain’s economic growth.

The government has ruled out a return to the EU single market, the customs union or freedom of movement. However, it accepts that British rules will need to be brought into line with EU regulations in some areas.

Britain and the EU have already outlined a framework for cooperation on food, energy and emissions trading, although the details are still being negotiated. The government has said Parliament will have a say before EU law is applied in the UK and that any new treaties covered by the bill will require parliamentary approval.

(reuters, max)