𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Ed Davey’s party backed stronger ties with Brussels but said it was “absurd and wrong and undemocratic” to sideline MPs.

Liberal Democrat MP Munira Wilson told the BBC’s Westminster Hour: “We need a closer relationship with Europe, but we also need Parliamentary democracy. And to cut Parliament out the loop and not have a vote, I think is absurd and wrong and undemocratic.”

The UK-EU reset legislation enabling the use of the so-called Henry VIII powers is expected to be part of next month’s King’s Speech.

The plan to allow the use of secondary legislation for dynamic alignment with Brussels has also been criticised by the Conservatives and Reform UK.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: “Parliament reduced to a spectator while Brussels sets the terms is exactly what the country rejected.

“Labour’s dire management of the economy has driven Starmer scurrying to Brussels to distract from his own failings.

“Labour are still fighting the referendum because they fundamentally cannot accept the democratic decision the British people made.

“We should be seizing the opportunities of Brexit, however, Starmer’s weakness on the world stage has made this near-impossible.”

Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice said the move was “outrageous” and promised his party would “reverse such a betrayal” if it won power.

The Prime Minister said the changes will only come into force if Parliament passes the legislation.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We’re in a world where there’s massive conflict, great uncertainty, and I strongly believe that the UK’s best interests are in a stronger, closer relationship with Europe, whether that’s defence and security… energy, inevitably, and also, our economy.”

Sir Keir added that the legislation will make trade easier, reducing “burdens” on businesses and lowering prices.

He said: “A stronger, closer relationship with Europe is in the UK’s best interest, particularly in a world that is as volatile as it is at the moment, and I know that worries a lot of people.”