Keir Starmer accused of ‘rewriting Brexit’ with shocking new law | Politics | News

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “trying to rewrite Brexit” after announcing plans to quickly adapt EU rules to UK law. The legislation, announced in the King’s Speech, will give ministers the power to agree “future agreements” with Brussels, alongside planned agreements on food, energy and freedom of movement for young people.

It was one of 37 proposals that critics said included tax rises but nothing to reduce the rising cost of welfare or help struggling employers as Sir Keir tries to fend off threats to his leadership. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “It’s not just Starmer; all the crooks jostling for his job don’t have an answer either, because they all believe in the same things: more welfare, more state control, more borrowing, more regulation. They’re busy arguing about who should drive but the truth is they’re all going in the wrong direction. They have no vision for the future.”

The speech revealed plans for a European Partnership Bill that would “provide a framework of powers to ensure that agreements with the EU can be implemented now and in the future”.

This includes previously announced trade agreements planned to be signed at the summer summit, but the bill will also apply to “new agreements with the EU in the future”, according to a document published by the Government.

Parliament will be given a “say” in the new deals, but there is no guarantee it will involve a binding vote.

Opposition leaders accused the Prime Minister of trying to curry favor with Labor MPs and activists who never accepted the results of the 2016 EU referendum.

Reform Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said: “Keir Starmer is trying to rewrite Brexit in a desperate bid for survival. He has clearly run out of ideas and lost all authority; he must resign immediately.”

It comes after Sir Keir refused to confirm he stood by his manifesto pledge not to return the UK to the EU single market or customs union.

Asked earlier this week whether red lines remain in place, he said: “What I want to do is take a big step forward with the EU-UK summit this year and bring us closer together on trade, economy, defense and security, and it will be a platform that we can build on as we move forward.”

Other controversial measures include a new tax on tourism that would allow regional mayors to impose fees on hotel visits. This was welcomed by Labor mayors, including London’s Sadiq Khan, but business leaders said it would place a further burden on struggling employers.

Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Rachel Reeves wants to impose a tax on family holidays as households struggle with rising costs. This new family holiday tax will be a blow to seaside towns and will hit families’ pockets.”

Tina McKenzie, head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Proposals to increase visitor taxes in England come at a time when the tourism and hospitality sectors are on their knees. If legislation goes ahead, it should be designed with small firms in mind and avoid acting as a disincentive for tourism itself.”

Critics have highlighted a failure to reduce the soaring benefit bill, with the Government promising only to respond to ongoing reviews when publishing its findings, while employers have accused the Government of failing to roll back tax rises and paralyzing bureaucracy that is hindering economic growth.

Shevaun Haviland, chief executive of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses will be disappointed to see no clear progress on business rates reform, which remains a major cost burden for firms across the UK.

“With conflict in the Middle East increasing cost pressures, this was a critical opportunity to deliver meaningful change and provide companies with the certainty they urgently need.”

Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, said: “The King’s Speech comes as households face another cost-of-living crunch as conflict in the Middle East drives up inflation and prices.

“The Government cannot raise living standards without lowering the costs of doing business. In the face of the looming inflationary storm driven by the Iran crisis, the Government must act now to combat rising energy, tax and regulatory costs at a time when many households are struggling to keep their heads above water.”

Danny Kruger of Reform UK said: “Most revealing was what was missing, namely any serious plan to bring down the spiraling welfare bill. Instead, all we got was a wish list from an out-of-track and ideas-free Government.”

The King’s Speech confirmed plans to nationalize British Steel that Sir Keir announced on Monday as part of his bid to regain the initiative after huge losses in local elections.

Other measures included a crackdown on immigration, supported by Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood. Home Office sources said the changes would go ahead in full, despite opposition from many Labor MPs.

The new legislation, backed by Justice Secretary David Lammy, will impose controversial limits on jury trials, give 16-year-olds the right to vote, create a national police force and introduce a new digital identity scheme.

But the Government has abandoned plans to make digital ID compulsory to prove the right to work in the UK. The planned Digital Access to Services Bill will state that documents such as passports can be used instead.

Reforms regarding education for special needs are also ongoing in order to reduce rising costs.

Leaders in the North of England have welcomed confirmation that a new Northern Powerhouse Rail network will be built connecting Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and York.