Express readers tell Keir Starmer to resign over latest Brexit betrayal

Express readers have demanded Sir Keir Starmer hand in his resignation over controversial plans to align the UK with EU rules. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused the Prime Minister of a “direct betrayal of the Brexit referendum” by plotting to follow Brussels rules without necessarily allowing MPs to vote on each piece of red tape.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also hit out at the plans, calling them “the worst of both worlds”. A new poll of around 6,850 Express readers suggests the vast majority are also not impressed. Nearly 96% (6,578) of readers answered ‘yes’ when asked whether Sir Keir should resign over his latest Brexit betrayal attempt.

Less than 4% (251) answered ‘no’, while under 1% (26%) said ‘don’t know’.

The poll is a sign of the concerns the wider public could have over Labour’s plan to cosy up to the EU.

The Express has launched a campaign demanding Sir Keir “Gives Us a Proper Brexit” ahead of the 10th anniversary of the referendum.

Prominent figures such as Ms Badenoch, Mr Farage, Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg have all backed the campaign.

The closer alignment with the EU is part of Sir Keir’s post-Brexit ‘reset’ with the bloc.

Sir Keir has repeatedly stressed the need for greater cooperation between London and Brussels.

The Government will seek to pass a new law which would allow EU single market rules to be adopted through secondary legislation.

That is likely to mean new rules being rubber stamped by MPs as Parliament can either approve or reject secondary legislation but cannot amend it.

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

The Government has insisted it will be subject to the full parliamentary scrutiny process as usual and repeatedly said the UK will not rejoin the single market.

But critics said the plan to allow the use of secondary legislation for dynamic alignment with Brussels — changing the UK’s rules to mirror those set in Brussels to make trade easier — would sideline Westminster.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the Prime Minister said the changes will only come into force if Parliament passes the legislation, adding that a stronger relationship with Europe is in the “UK’s best interest”.

He said: “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 the legislation will make trade easier, reducing “burdens” on businesses and lowering prices.

“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,” he said.

A Government spokesman said: “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 £5.1 billion a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses.”