Keir Starmer accused of 'Brexit betrayal' as UK could sign up to EU rules without Commons vote
Scots Tory MP John Cooper said the plans to change the UK’s rules to mirror those set in Brussels in a bid make trade easier were a “Brexit betrayal”.
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of a “Brexit betrayal” as his Government will follow European Union rules without giving MPs a vote on each piece of red tape.
The UK Government will seek to pass a new law which would allow 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 on May 13 and will be subject to the full parliamentary scrutiny process as usual.
But Scots Tory MP for Dumfries and Galloway John Cooper said Sir Keir’s plans to change the UK’s rules to mirror those set in Brussels in a bid make trade easier ”confirmed his Brexit betrayal”.
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 that 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.”
Mr Cooper said: ‘”Dynamic alignment is a euphemism for rule-taking, and in reality it means we will be accepting decisions taken in Brussels and Strasbourg with little meaningful input there, and now little scrutiny here in Parliament.
“There is an assumption in some quarters that EU regulations are inherently superior to the UK. That’s far from always the case.”
He continued: “Accepting EU rules – which trail the UK’s regime – would be a backward step, denying Scottish farmers a competitive advantage.
“On mycotoxins, which affect grains, the EU updated its regulations, lowering the acceptable limit for vomitoxin, and other toxins which affect oats.
“That was done without reference to British evidence, and so accepting EU rules could be very detrimental to Scottish producers as our wetter conditions increase the risk of mycotoxin contamination.
“Asulox was about the only herbicide useful against bracken, which is invasive and takes over productive farmland if not kept in check.
“The EU banned it with little regard for Scottish hill farmers who have a major issue with bracken and whose land is often not suitable for mechanical methods of control.
“Setting aside where people stand on Brexit, EU legislation is often ‘one size fits none’ as it has to cover so many competing demands – what’s right for Belgium might not be right for Britain.
“I am concerned too about trade deals we are striking around the world thanks to Brexit. The Business & Trade Committee was recently in India where a new deal will, on ratification, be a major shot in the arm for – among others – Scotch whisky, very much in demand there but currently subject to eyewatering import tariffs.
“We negotiated such deals on the basis of UK sanitary and phytosanitary regulations, but now what happens when we are no longer in charge of our own SPS mandates?”
Stephen Gethins, SNP candidate for Dundee City East: “Brexit is a complete disaster.
"It is costing us £250 million a day and is hammering households and businesses right across the Scotland - no amount of fiddling around the edges from Keir Starmer will suffice.
“The people of Scotland are paying the heaviest price for a Brexit we didn't vote for and we deserve far better than a Westminster system driven by Farage, one of the main architects of this failure.
"The only way the damage of Brexit can be undone is by rejoining the EU and only the SNP is offering that.
“Through a fresh start with independence we can rejoin our allies in Europe and build a wealthier Scotland that plays its full role on the international stage as an independent country."
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