European Union: Court of Justice

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Excerpts

Wednesday 26th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I thank the noble and learned Baroness for her question and for all the work she has done historically.

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD)]

My Lords, I regularly hear from the Conservative Benches the idea that the worst thing we could ever do is to accept some sort of alignment of regulation with the European Union. I do recall, just before the Maastricht treaty, a publication by Chatham House on the extent to which British regulations, under pressure from exporting businesses, by and large followed the American lead and accepted American extraterritorial jurisdiction. Does the Minister think that is what the Conservatives want us all to do?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

Thankfully, I have the pleasure of speaking for the Government, not the Opposition. With regard to our actions, we will do everything to protect British consumers. I want to be clear with noble Lords that, when we talk about standards and engagement, this Government will not support a race to the bottom on those issues.