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', as the government prepares to align more rapidly with EU rules. Speaking during a statement on the Iran conflict and his Gulf visit, Starmer argued that renewed ties with Europe are essential given global instability and the unpredictable US administration under Donald Trump.
The Guardian has revealed that ministers plan to use so-called Henry VIII powers to dynamically align with EU rules by default, adopting changes to single market rules without full parliamentary scrutiny each time. The move is expected to be included in a bill presented in next month's King's Speech, with the government arguing it could add billions to the UK economy, temper the cost of the Iran conflict, and boost productivity.
Starmer said lessons must be learned from shocks to the cost of living, including Brexit, Covid, and the Ukraine war, and that the response 'must and will be different'. He emphasised that a closer economic relationship with European allies is needed because 'Brexit did deep damage to the economy'. However, the plans have drawn sharp criticism from the Conservatives and Reform UK, who accuse Starmer of betraying the 2016 referendum result.
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said Parliament would be 'reduced to a spectator while Brussels sets the terms', while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described closer EU ties as 'a total betrayal of the Brexit vote' and 'a complete breach of the Labour manifesto'. Starmer countered that opponents must recognise the world has changed, urging a forward-looking approach rather than rehashing old arguments.
Under the proposed bill, negotiators could seek to adopt EU rules on goods such as cars and farming using secondary legislation, which Parliament can approve or reject but not amend. A government source said Parliament will still have a role, but blocking votes could cause issues with the EU and prompt retaliatory action.
