Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told Parliament that the economic and security benefits of a closer relationship with the European Union are “simply too big to ignore”. Updating MPs on the Iran conflict and his visit to the Gulf, he argued that renewed ties with Europe are essential given the chaotic global situation and the unpredictable US administration under Donald Trump.
The government plans to use so-called Henry VIII powers to dynamically align with EU rules by default, including adopting changes to single market rules without full parliamentary scrutiny each time. Starmer said lessons must be learned from shocks such as Brexit, Covid and the Ukraine war, and that the response must be different, including efforts to reduce energy bills.
Starmer condemned as “wrong” continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon after a ceasefire and warned that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is causing untold economic damage. He confirmed that the UK would play no part in planned US attempts to mount a counter-blockade. He also criticised Trump’s threat that Iran’s “whole civilisation will die”, calling it inappropriate.
The Conservatives’ shadow business secretary, Andrew Griffith, accused Starmer of being unable to accept the 2016 referendum result, saying Parliament is “reduced to a spectator while Brussels sets the terms”. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the plans as “a total betrayal of the Brexit vote” and a breach of the Labour manifesto.
Under the proposed bill, negotiators could seek to adopt EU rules on cars and farming using secondary legislation, which Parliament can only approve or reject without amendment. The government argues the move will add billions to the UK economy, temper the cost of the Iran conflict and boost sluggish productivity.
