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Sir Keir Starmer is beneath pressure to re-examine his relationship with the European Union, as a new group of MPs from throughout the political spectrum has shaped to induce the prime minister to forge closer ties with the bloc.
The group, which goals to “discover areas of mutual co-operation and interest” and probe the UK-EU relationship, held its first assembly on Tuesday,The Independent understands.
The group will search to “foster positive relationships with colleagues across Europe”, in addition to “encouraging an open and honest dialogue for politicians of all stripes”, co-chair Dr Rosena Allin-Khan instructed The Independent.
The assembly was attended by a number of distinguished Labour backbenchers together with Dawn Buter, Yasmin Qureshi and Martha de Cordova.
Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who now sits as an impartial after quitting the get together, was additionally in attendance, in addition to Liberal Democrat, SNP and Green MPs.
Sir Keir has confronted criticism for his determination to disband the European Scrutiny Committee after Labour received the final election, with MPs now forming their very own group to fill the democratic void.
The first assembly of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Europe, chaired by Dr Allin-Khan and Tory peer Lord Kirkhope, noticed a number of parliamentarians categorical their dismay that there wasn’t one other avenue for dialogue and scrutiny on European points for the reason that axing of the committee, sources in attendance instructed The Independent.
At the time, the choice was dubbed a “disgrace” by Sir Bill Cash, the previous Tory MP who chaired the committee for 14 years earlier than standing down on the final election.
It comes as Sir Keir makes an attempt to pursue a “reset” with the EU, pledging to “make Brexit work” by renegotiating the deal agreed upon by Boris Johnson and the Tories.
But Joe Meighan, public affairs supervisor on the European Movement – which is supporting the APPG – warned Sir Keir Starmer of working a “covert charm offensive with Europe”, saying it “risks any advancements being labelled as undemocratic”.
“Our exit from the EU and removal from its apparatus should give cause for deeper parliamentary scrutiny, not the opposite. If Starmer’s great reset is to be fair, equitable and democratic, it must be one routed through the House of Parliament and not Labour HQ”, he mentioned.
Meanwhile, Lord Kirkhope instructed The Independent the new group is “crucial” following the choice to abolish the European Scrutiny Committee.
“It will allow us to assess policies as they evolve and apply a positive, pragmatic approach to our relationship with Europe.
“We’ve bilateral ties with many European countries, but what’s been lacking is a broader, strategic view of our relationship with the EU as a whole”, he mentioned.
The group plans to carry six bi-monthly conferences all through 2025, every targeted on a distinct theme.
The first assembly can be held in January and can name for proof on defence and safety cooperation with Europe, with additional conferences held to focus on completely different areas of coverage, together with commerce, science and expertise.
It comes after Sir Keir scored the primary main breakthrough in his plans for a Brexit reset with a landmark new defence deal with Germany.
Under the plans, German plane within the Luftwaffe, Germany’s air drive, will function from a base in Britain to assist shield the North Atlantic from the rising risk from Russia, whereas round 400 jobs are set to be created in a new munitions manufacturing unit within the UK.
Defence secretary John Healey mentioned the settlement represented a “major strengthening of Europe’s security” and was a “milestone moment” within the UK’s relationship with Germany.
The FCDO has been contacted for remark.
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