Keir Starmer accused of 'direct Brexit betrayal' as Labour plans putting UK under EU control

Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner make visit to school breakfast club

Sir Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner made a joint visit to a school in northwest England this morning.

The trio were in attendance to speak to school staff to mark the expansion of free breakfast club schemes, with an additional 500 opening, adding to the 750 already set up.

The three were pictured chatting with children at the club, as well as speaking about football.

When Ms Rayner walked over, Mr Starmer said: "The football part is over - we're onto what our favourite breakfast is."

To which the former deputy PM replied: "Oh, I can join in now then."

'Time to look forward, not backwards' with EU, Keir Starmer claims 

The Prime Minister has said it is time to "look forwards" in regards to the UK's relationship with the EU, 10 years on from Brexit.

He said: "I think there's also a sense, 10 years on from the Brexit referendum, that we've got to look forward now, not backwards.

"Let's not just have all the old arguments over the last decade.

" Let's go forward and recognise that a stronger, closer relationship with Europe is in the UK's best interest."

He added that the proposed bill to bring the UK closer to EU single market rules is about "trying to make trade easier so there's less burdens for businesses" and this will lead to "lower prices."

Stronger relationship with the EU is in 'the UK's best interests', Keir Starmer urges

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said a stronger relationship with Europe is in “the UK’s best interest”, when asked about legislation that would allow ministers to sign the UK up to EU single market rules without a full vote in Parliament.

He told BBC 5 Live: “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.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called the proposals the "worst of both worlds."

She told Sky: "The problem is it's the worst of both worlds. It won't help growth. Why should we be out of the EU, able to make our own choices and not take those decisions?"

"Remember we are a competitive, competing economy. Taking EU rules without having a vote on them is completely wrong. If you want to be in the EU, come out and say 'We want to go back into the EU'. That's what they're not brave enough to do.

"So they're picking this weird hybrid, which is the worst of both worlds. It's not in the EU, it's not out. It's just doing whatever the EU is doing."

Prime Minister condemns Strait of Hormuz blockade as UK 'not getting dragged into Iran War'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated “we are not supporting the blockade” of the Strait of Hormuz announced by US President Donald Trump and the UK is “not getting dragged in” to the Iran war.

The news comes after Sir Keir urged both Iran and the US to "find a way through" following a breakdown in peace talks in Pakistan.

In a conversation with the Sultan of Oman, Mr Starmer said a continuation of the ceasefire would be "vital" and that "all parties avoided any further escalation."

Kemi Badenoch refuses to say if US blockade is a bad idea

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has refused to condemn the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz by Donald Trump.

When asked if the UK should be involved, she said: "What I've said is if you break it, you own it. What's unclear to us is what his strategy is and I don't think that if the strategy is unclear, we should be getting involved.

"What I want Keir Starmer to do is focus on the national interest, deal with things that he can handle domestically."

Asked if the blockade was a good idea, she said the UK is "on the side of the United States" in the Iran war, but she is "not in a position to give operational, sort of, suggestions on what should be happening."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith slams 'embarrassing' handling of the Strait of Hormuz by Labour

Conservative MP Andrew Griffith has called the lack of Royal Navy presence in the Strait of Hormuz an "embarrassment" on GB News this morning.

He said: "We have such a diminished Royal Nay, the last government invested heavily in mine sweepers, but they were removed from the gulf before any of these matters started."

"We should be less of a bystander the Prime Minister is making us become."

Donald Trump is set to block the Strait of Hormuz at 3pm today after peace talks with Iran collapsed.

UK will not be involved in the Strait of Hormuz blockade

The UK will not be involved a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a government spokesman stated.

They said: "We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home.

"The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling."

They added: "We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation."

The statement comes after Donald Trump said that US would be blocking the vital shipping route from 3pm UK time today.

MPs will get to vote on new EU rules, source says

MPs will get a vote on new rules before they are imposed on the UK, a source has said.

Sir Keir Starmer's EU reset legislation is expected to be included in May's King's Speech later this year.

A Government source rejected the suggestion that MPs will have no say on new EU regulations.

"We are clear Parliament will have a role for new deals and on new EU laws applying under those deals," the source told GB News.

The People's Channel understands MPs will retain the ability to rubber-stamp new deals rather than debate and vote on all new directives.

A Government spokesman added: "The bill will go through Parliament in the normal way.

"Any new treaties or deals with the EU will also face parliamentary scrutiny, and Parliament will have a role in approving new EU laws required under those deals via secondary legislation.

"This will allow us to deliver a "food and drink" trade deal worth £5.1billion a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses."

What is the UK negotiating with the EU?

Sir Keir Starmer's Brexit reset includes negotiations on key areas with the European Union.

A new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could impact farmers.

Meanwhile, negotiations on trading emissions and electricity look set to hit Britain's energy independence.

Keir Starmer accused of 'direct Brexit betrayal' as Labour plots putting UK under EU control

Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with a fresh wave of Brexit fury amid plans to sign the UK up to new EU's single market rules.

Ministers are set to introduce legislation to align the UK with future Brussels-derived regulations without normal parliamentary scrutiny.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned the move was a "backdoor attempt to drag Britain back under EU control".

Mr Farage added: "Accepting their rules without a vote is a direct betrayal of the Brexit referendum and a total breach of the Government's manifesto promises.

"The British people didn't vote to become rule-takers, and we will fight this every step of the way."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith also said: "Labour are still fighting the referendum because they fundamentally cannot accept the democratic decision the British people made."