Brexit betrayal as Starmer plans to use to use ‘Henry VIII powers’ | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer has called for Chapter VIII to lock Britain into EU single market rules without the proper parliamentary votes. He is planning a Brexit treason by seizing Henry’s powers. Ministers are preparing legislation that would fundamentally reshape the UK’s relationship with the bloc and allow the Government to comply with evolving single market rules using secondary legislation that bypasses full scrutiny.
The new EU-UK reset bill, expected before the summer, will introduce a food and drink trade agreement while ensuring “dynamic alignment” in agreed areas. It will also allow ministers to quickly adopt future EU changes on everything from cars to farming if they are deemed to be in the national interest. VIII, which takes its name from the Tudor law that allowed rule by decree. Under Henry’s powers, Parliament could only approve or reject proposals, with no power to amend them. Blocking votes could trigger EU retaliation.
According to reports, ministers are preparing for fierce opposition from people who will “scream treason” during this move Guard. Push follows Donald TrumpBritain’s war with Iran has exposed the fragility of its damaged special relationship with the US.
Government sources suggest the changes would add billions of dollars to the economy, reduce the costs of conflict and boost stagnant productivity by cutting bureaucracy. They insist the approach respects red lines against a customs union, rejoining the single market or restoring freedom of movement. Disputes will be resolved by an independent court, not the European Court of Justice.
Critics warn of “stealth integration”. Prof Anand Menon, Director of the UK in a Changing Europe, said: “We are signing a deal with the European Union that commits us to follow their rules whether we want to or not. The danger is that you are integrating with the EU in secret.” The ugly trade-off of Brexit, he added, was trading political control for economic access without a vote in the room.
The bill will accelerate food and drink deals and emissions trading worth £5.1bn a year, while also opening the door to wider compliance. It tacitly acknowledges the economic damage of Brexit, with the Office for Budget Responsibility predicting a 4% hit to productivity and a 15% drop in trade in the long term.
A government insider dismissed harsh Brexit critics, insisting: “They will scream betrayal but the truth is that all international agreements contain common rules. Nigel Farage is too cowardly to take this on.”
Conservatives condemned the plan. Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “Parliament has been reduced to a spectator while Brussels sets the terms, which is exactly what the country is rejecting. Labor is still fighting the referendum.”
The legislation is likely to pass the House of Commons but could face obstacles in the House of Lords. A Government spokesman said:
“Parliament will play its full constitutional role to examine, debate and shape this. This will allow us to deliver a food and drink trade deal worth £5.1bn a year, supporting British jobs and reducing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses.”
The move escalates the post-election “reset” with the EU, which has been accelerated by the Prime Minister’s claims that global instability and Brexit are causing “profound damage” to the UK economy. Given that the EU will still account for almost half of UK trade in 2024, ministers argue it is essential to remove barriers without crossing key red lines.
