Prime Minister Sir 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 for more rapid alignment with EU rules. Updating MPs 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 revealed that ministers plan to use Henry VIII powers to dynamically align with EU rules by default, adopting changes to the single market without full parliamentary scrutiny each time. Starmer said lessons from Brexit, Covid, and the Ukraine war show that global shocks to living standards are no longer novel, and the response must be different, including efforts to reduce energy bills.
Starmer condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon after a ceasefire and warned that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is causing economic damage, but confirmed the UK would not join a US counter-blockade. He also criticised Trump’s threat that Iran’s “whole civilisation will die” as “wrong”.
The plans have drawn sharp criticism from the Conservatives and Reform UK. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith accused Starmer of ignoring the 2016 referendum, while Reform leader Nigel Farage called the move a “total betrayal” of the Brexit vote and a breach of Labour’s manifesto.
Starmer countered that opponents must recognise a changed world, saying: “Let’s go forward and recognise that a stronger, closer relationship with Europe is in the UK’s best interest.” The proposed bill, expected before summer, would allow negotiators to adopt EU rules on cars, farming, and more via secondary legislation, which Parliament can approve or reject but not amend.
