Keir Starmer’s Brexit ‘betrayal’ to shackle UK businesses to EU | Politics | News

Critics accused Sir Keir Starmer of “betraying” Brexit over a new deal that would shackle UK businesses to the EU’s rulebook. Ministers have urged British firms to prepare for the changes, arguing it will make trade with Brussels cheaper, easier and faster.

The government insisted the move would “liberate British food and farming businesses from mountains of paperwork” and cut red tape; This is also a matter debated by skeptics. The agreement is known in Brussels as ‘dynamic adjustment’; This means that a non-EU country or territory agrees to automatically update its domestic laws and standards to comply with EU regulations in certain areas. This would reportedly lead to the transfer of control of food and agricultural trade to the European Court of Justice, leaving the UK effectively with no say over current or future regulations.

John Longworth, Chairman of The Independent Business Network and former chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce, said the move was “an absolute disaster”.

he said Daily Mail: “The whole concept that the government is currently pursuing is a betrayal of the democratic decision taken without any authority on Brexit.

“It’s actually disastrous for businesses too. It’s appalling because we apply EU rules and regulations to 100% of businesses, while only 8% of businesses export to Europe.”

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“This is just another red tape burden placed on businesses that are already reducing employment due to the rising cost of running businesses.

“While 8 percent of companies export to the EU, 14 percent of businesses export to the rest of the world, and the majority of trade is now with the rest of the world, not the EU, making us less competitive in world markets.”

Also speaking to the Mail, Mark Francois, Chairman of the Research Group of European Conservative MPs, described dynamic harmony as “the code for being rule-making again from Brussels”.

The deal is part of the Prime Minister’s wider “reestablishment” deal with the EU as he seeks closer ties with Brussels.

The government has confirmed that the new deal is working towards a mid-2027 start date.

Stating that it wants businesses in the sector to start preparing for the changes now, the company added that it aims to complete negotiations later this year and provide the best deal for businesses in the UK.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “We are resetting our relationship with the EU, our closest and largest trading partner, to make trade easier and cheaper and deliver tangible benefits for British businesses.

“We are talking about real businesses, real employers: the Somerset cheesemaker whose export trade has halved, the Welsh shellfish trader who is turning away orders because his catch is not fresh until the paperwork is completed, the Scottish farmer who can no longer sell seed potatoes to customers they have supplied for decades.

“By reducing delays and unnecessary paperwork, this agreement will help keep shelves stocked, protect jobs and put downward pressure on food price inflation for families across the country.

“British businesses deserve better and we will work hand in hand with them to ensure this deal is a success.”