Close Menu
WTX News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Red Bull explains why developing current car important even if it hits 2026 F1 project
    • Security guard reveals new details of Manchester synagogue attack
    • Tom Skinner’s inevitable exit from Strictly is a warning to all future contestants
    • Women’s Champions League 2025-26 kits Ranking every jersey
    • Two teenagers jailed over machete killing of 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell in southeast London
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    WTX News
    • Live News
      • US News
      • EU News
      • UK News
      • Politics
      • COVID-19
      • Business
      • Tech zone
    • World news
      • Middle East News
        • UAE News
        • Palestine News
      • Europe
        • Italian News
        • Spanish News
      • Africa news
      • South America
      • North America
      • Asia
    • News Briefings
      • UK News Briefing
      • World News Briefing
      • Live Business News
    • Sports
      • Football News
      • Tennis
      • Women’s Football
    • MY World
      • Climate Change
      • In Review
      • Expose
      • Special Reports
        • Conscience Convoy
        • Rohingya Report
    • Entertainment
      • Insta Talk
      • Royal Family
      • Gaming News
      • TV Shows
      • Streaming
    • Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • Fashion
      • Cooking recipes
      • Luxury
      • Money Saving Expert
    • Travel
      • Culture
      • Holidays
    • Sign Up
      • Log In
    WTX News
    • Live News
    • World news
    • News Briefings
    • Sports
    • MY World
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Sign Up
    Home - EU - MPs pile pressure on Starmer with new group demanding closer EU ties
    EU Updated:October 24, 2024

    MPs pile pressure on Starmer with new group demanding closer EU ties

    By David Pike4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    MPs pile pressure on Starmer with new group demanding closer EU ties

    MPs pile pressure on Starmer with new group demanding closer EU ties

    Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to re-examine the UK’s relationship with the European Union, as a new group of MPs from across the political spectrum has formed to urge the prime minister to forge closer ties with the bloc.

    The group, which aims to “discover areas of mutual co-operation and interest” and probe the UK-EU relationship, held its first meeting on Tuesday,The Independent understands.

    The group will seek to “foster positive relationships with colleagues across Europe”, as well as “encouraging an open and honest dialogue for politicians of all stripes”, co-chair Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said.

    The meeting was attended by multiple prominent Labour backbenchers including Dawn Butler, Yasmin Qureshi and Marsha de Cordova.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer shakes meets with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the European Commission headquarters during his visit to Brussels (PA Wire)

    Former Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who now sits as an independent after quitting the party, was also in attendance, as well as Liberal Democrat, SNP and Green MPs.

    Sir Keir has faced criticism for his decision to disband the European Scrutiny Committee after Labour won the last election, with MPs now forming their own group to fill the democratic void.

    The first meeting of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Europe, chaired by Dr Allin-Khan and Tory peer Lord Kirkhope, saw multiple parliamentarians express their dismay that there wasn’t another avenue for discussion and scrutiny on European issues since the axing of the committee, sources in attendance told The Independent.

    At the time, the decision was dubbed a “disgrace” by Sir Bill Cash, the former Tory MP who chaired the committee for 14 years before standing down at the last election.

    But Dr Mike Galsworthy, Chairman of the European Movement – which is supporting the APPG – said the new group would bring in a “fresh new era of European engagement.”

    It comes as Sir Keir attempts to pursue a “reset” with the EU, pledging to “make Brexit work” by renegotiating the deal agreed upon by Boris Johnson and the Tories.

    Joe Meighan, public affairs manager at the European Movement warned the prime minister against running 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 said.

    Meanwhile, Lord Kirkhope told The Independent the new group is “crucial” following the decision 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 said.

    The group plans to hold six bi-monthly meetings throughout 2025, each focused on a different theme.

    The first meeting will be held in January and will call for evidence on defence and security cooperation with Europe, with further meetings held to focus on different areas of policy, including trade, science and technology.

    A number of government ministers have been invited to a reception in December to celebrate the group’s inauguration, The Independent understands.

    It comes after Sir Keir scored the first major breakthrough in his plans for a Brexit reset with a landmark new defence deal with Germany.

    Under the plans, German aircraft in the Luftwaffe, Germany’s air force, will operate from a base in Britain to help protect the North Atlantic from the growing threat from Russia, while around 400 jobs are set to be created in a new munitions factory in the UK.

    Defence secretary John Healey said the agreement represented a “major strengthening of Europe’s security” and was a “milestone moment” in the UK’s relationship with Germany.

    The FCDO has been contacted for comment.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-Keir-Starmer-europe-eu-b2634368.html

    Keir Starmer The Independent Trending Politics UK featured UK politics UK Trending
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleUK-wide ban on disposable vapes from June 2025
    Next Article Ian Wright fears Arsenal star ‘hasn’t got the same chemistry’ with teammate
    David Pike

    David Pike is an experienced news journalist with over 20 years experience as a UK News editor for WTX News and other news publications.

    Related Posts

    Security guard reveals new details of Manchester synagogue attack
    Manchester news

    Security guard reveals new details of Manchester synagogue attack

    Two teenagers jailed over machete killing of 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell in southeast London
    London

    Two teenagers jailed over machete killing of 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell in southeast London

    Author Dame Jilly Cooper has died
    UK News

    Author Dame Jilly Cooper has died

    Lewis Moody reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis
    UK News

    Lewis Moody reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    Advertisment
    News Headlines
    Security guard reveals new details of Manchester synagogue attack

    Security guard reveals new details of Manchester synagogue attack

    Two teenagers jailed over machete killing of 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell in southeast London

    Two teenagers jailed over machete killing of 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell in southeast London

    Save 70% on VIP subscription
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    News Briefings - the way to a better life
    Advert by Sponsors
    More from WTX News
    The latest gaming news - with game reviews and tips and tricks. updated 24 hours a day.
    The latest gaming news
    Hot off the press!
    • Red Bull explains why developing current car important even if it hits 2026 F1 project October 6, 2025
    • Security guard reveals new details of Manchester synagogue attack October 6, 2025
    • Tom Skinner’s inevitable exit from Strictly is a warning to all future contestants October 6, 2025
    • Women’s Champions League 2025-26 kits Ranking every jersey October 6, 2025
    • Two teenagers jailed over machete killing of 15-year-old Daejaun Campbell in southeast London October 6, 2025
    WTX News latest breaking news sports and travel
    Latest News and analysis - Deciphering through the BS with exclusive News Briefings
    Facebook X (Twitter) TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • EU News
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • News Briefing
    • Live News

    Company

    • About WTX News
    • Register
    • Advertising
    • Work with us
    • Contact
    • Community
    • GDPR Policy
    • Privacy

    Services

    • Fitness for free
    • Insta Talk
    • How to guides
    • Climate Change
    • In Review
    • Expose
    • NEWS SUMMARY
    • Money Saving Expert

    News delivered to your inbox

    Copyright WTX News 2025

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.