Keir Starmer accused of 'direct Brexit betrayal' as Labour plans putting UK under EU control

Fintan Starkey
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:28:53 +0000

Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with a fresh wave of Brexit fury amid plans to sign the UK up to new EU's single market rules.

Ministers are set to introduce legislation to align the UK with future Brussels-derived regulations without normal parliamentary scrutiny.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned the move was a "backdoor attempt to drag Britain back under EU control".

Mr Farage added: "Accepting their rules without a vote is a direct betrayal of the Brexit referendum and a total breach of the Government's manifesto promises.

"The British people didn't vote to become rule-takers, and we will fight this every step of the way."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith also said: "Labour are still fighting the referendum because they fundamentally cannot accept the democratic decision the British people made."

The legislation is expected to be included in May's King's Speech as part of the Prime Minister's EU reset.

However, a Government source rejected the suggestion that MPs will have no say on new EU regulations.

"We are clear Parliament will have a role for new deals and on new EU laws applying under those deals," the source told GB News.

The People's Channel understands MPs will retain the ability to rubber-stamp new deals rather than debate and vote on all new directives.

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 £5.1billion a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses."

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UK will not be involved in the Strait of Hormuz blockade

The UK will not be involved a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a government spokesman stated.

They said: "We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home.

"The Strait of Hormuz must not be subject to tolling."

They added: "We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation."

The statement comes after Donald Trump said that US would be blocking the vital shipping route from 3pm UK time today.

MPs will get to vote on new EU rules, source says

MPs will get a vote on new rules before they are imposed on the UK, a source has said.

Sir Keir Starmer's EU reset legislation is expected to be included in May's King's Speech later this year.

A Government source rejected the suggestion that MPs will have no say on new EU regulations.

"We are clear Parliament will have a role for new deals and on new EU laws applying under those deals," the source told GB News.

The People's Channel understands MPs will retain the ability to rubber-stamp new deals rather than debate and vote on all new directives.

A Government spokesman added: "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 £5.1billion a year, backing British jobs and slashing costly red tape for our farmers, producers and businesses."

What is the UK negotiating with the EU?

Sir Keir Starmer's Brexit reset includes negotiations on key areas with the European Union.

A new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement could impact farmers.

Meanwhile, negotiations on trading emissions and electricity look set to hit Britain's energy independence.

Keir Starmer accused of 'direct Brexit betrayal' as Labour plots putting UK under EU control

Sir Keir Starmer has been hit with a fresh wave of Brexit fury amid plans to sign the UK up to new EU's single market rules.

Ministers are set to introduce legislation to align the UK with future Brussels-derived regulations without normal parliamentary scrutiny.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage warned the move was a "backdoor attempt to drag Britain back under EU control".

Mr Farage added: "Accepting their rules without a vote is a direct betrayal of the Brexit referendum and a total breach of the Government's manifesto promises.

"The British people didn't vote to become rule-takers, and we will fight this every step of the way."

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith also said: "Labour are still fighting the referendum because they fundamentally cannot accept the democratic decision the British people made."