Starmer will reimpose 76 EU directives covering agriculture and food in the King’s Speech, with critics slamming the move as selling Britain ‘down the river’
Critics brand Starmer the ‘worst negotiator in history’ (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer was accused of “selling the country down the river” as he prepared to reimpose 76 European Union directives. New laws to be announced in May’s King’s Speech will bring back a raft of orders from Brussels, covering the agricultural and food sectors of the British economy.
The move has led to the Prime Minister being lambasted as the “worst negotiator in history” with critics slamming Labour’s plans for a ‘reset’ with Brussels as a betrayal of Brexit.
Speaking to the Express, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Alex Burghart, said: “His so-called ‘reset’ will undermine Britain’s hard-won agricultural, technological and business freedoms, whilst hardworking taxpayers are expected to subsidise the EU in return.”
New legislation will lay the foundations for sector-wide deals with the EU and would require British farmers to adhere to Brussels red tape. The rules could be brought in as part of a planned EU-UK food and agriculture deal, which both Brussels and London hope to be signed in time for the tenth anniversary of the referendum, according to the Financial Times.
Whitehall mandarins have reportedly identified some 76 individual directives as being “in scope”, which cover everything from food hygiene to organic pet food and even marmalade. Whilst No10 are tight-lipped about the changes, and confirmed they would not comment to pre-empt the outcome of the negotiations, critics rounded on the plan.
Mr Burghart accused the Prime Minster of “attempting to drag us back into the arguments of the past” and looking to “sell the country down the river and revive age-old debates”.
Sir Keir, who voted Remain and previously called for a second referendum despite 17.4 million people voting to leave, has overseen calls to “reset” relations with the trading bloc since becoming Prime Minister.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: “This government’s slow march back into the EU continues. Voters should be under no illusion: we are currently in the midst of a total Brexit betrayal.
“Instead of scrapping EU laws and red tape to allow UK businesses to flourish and compete, we are being dragged back into a failing EU by a rudderless, uninspired Labour government that is packed to the brim with remainers.”
Opponents have long decried plans to align closer with Europe as a Brexit Betrayal, and this year the Daily Express launched our “Give Us A Proper Brexit” crusade.
Our campaign calls for protecting fishing waters, stronger borders, and a ruling out rejoining the single market or customs union – as well as stopping a ‘reset’ with Brussels.
The mass transfer of Brussels regulations back onto British businesses will be outlined in the King’s speech, which is anticipated for a week after the May local elections.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister told the Express that their “red lines are clear and that hasn’t changed.”
76 EU directives covering food and farming to return (Image: Getty)
It came after Peter Kyle, the Business and Trade Secretary warned there should not be “protracted debate” on rejoining the EU, a week after the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan openly demanded the UK rejoin the bloc, re-enter the single market and agree to the customs union.
But Downing Street was defensive today, saying “improving our relationship with the EU is in no way rowing back on Brexit” before stressing their belief that a deal with the EU would be £9billion to the economy.
But opinion is reported to be split around the Cabinet table, with senior figures such as David Lammy and Wes Streeting calling for a return to the customs union, and Mr Kyle saying this morning that the government was “very open-minded about the alignment”.
It is understood that any disputes between the EU and the UK would be resolved by an independent panel, and not put to a vote of MPs.
Supporters of the move, such as the Center for European Reform, suggest that a renegotiation with Europe could net an improvement to GDP of some 0.3-0.7% of GDP over the next decade, potentially worth billions.
The Cabinet Office said, according to the Daily Telegraph they would “provide details of the legislation in due course and Parliament will play its full constitutional role in scrutinising, debating and shaping it.”