Brexiteers have accused Labour of pushing through a bill that they claim "brings us back into line with the EU as if we were still a member".
The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill passed another stage in Parliament on Wednesday. It's currently in the third reading stage in the House of Commons. Once it passes all remaining stages, it will proceed to receive Royal Assent, at which point it will become law.
Officially, the bill makes "provision about the marketing or use of products in the United Kingdom; about units of measurement and the quantities in which goods are marketed in the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes".
However, a report by Facts4EU shared exclusively with GB News suggests the UK will be allowed to align unilaterally with EU rules on product safety and environmental standards.
So much so that Traditional Unionist Voice leader and MP for North Antrim Jim Allister KC MP dubbed it a "trojan horse".
Starmer's cabinet is stuffed with Remainers
Facts4EU
He said: "Although it has a technical and rather boring sounding title, this legislation has clearly been designed to act to a very significant degree as the Brexit Sabotage Bill.
"Its purpose is to give to the Government powers to make laws through secondary legislation, which is all unamendable and subject to virtually no scrutiny, to bring us back into line with the EU as if we were still a member.
"Rather than honouring the biggest democratic vote in the history of the United Kingdom, the Government with the smallest share of the vote in our history has provided, through this Bill, a legislative vehicle that actually undermines Brexit.
"Honouring the vote for Brexit would mean developing legislation that seeks to secure the opportunities that arise from our taking a different approach from the EU.
"Instead, this Bill provides an easy means for our re-aligning with the EU in many respects and, importantly, in ways that are beyond the reach of proper parliamentary scrutiny."
The furore over the bill follows Keir Starmer's defence summit with his European counterparts last month
PA
Echoing this sentiment was shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith, who told Guido Fawkes: "This is a Trojan Horse EU Surrender Bill, giving Ministers unchecked power to drag us back into the European Union.
"This Government seems to be determined to give away our sovereignty in what is turning into an unashamedly anti-British tirade."
Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost said: "What the purpose of the Bill cannot be is to reduce trade barriers - or it can be so only on one condition, because aligning with EU law does not reduce trade barriers.
"The EU itself is very clear about that; the process remains because it is a different legal system."
Former Brexit negotiator Lord Frost said 'purpose of the Bill cannot be is to reduce trade barriers'
PALabour officials and industry spokesmen have defended the bill, insisting that the Bill updates the UK's regulatory framework to address modern challenges, enhances consumer protection, and supports economic growth.
In its first reading, Justin Madders, Minister for Business and Trade, Public Bill Committee, said: “The Bill provides powers to make and amend relevant product regulations, so that the UK can act in the best interests of our businesses and consumers.”
Greg Carter from the London Fire Brigade called the bill "a really welcome step" in the drive to reduce the worrying risk of e-bike and e-scooter fires.
He said: "The Bill should decrease the chance of customers being exposed to buying unsafe products, such as lithium batteries, chargers and conversion kits, which, when they do not meet the UK safety standards, can be extremely dangerous."
The furore over the bill follows Keir Starmer's defence summit with his European counterparts last month.
The meeting paved the way for a new deal with the bloc that constitutes a more comprehensive revamp of the relationship than was expected.
It sees the UK negotiating selective participation in parts of the single market for agri-food and electricity in return for accepting “dynamic alignment” and a role for the European Court of Justice. EU vessels will enjoy access to UK waters for a further 12 years
Although Labour maintains its red lines on not rejoining the single market as a whole or the customs union, its conciliatory approach to the bloc was dubbed a "Brexit betrayal" by arch-Remainers.
Writing for GB News, arch-Brexiteer Ann Widdecombe decried the summit as an "abject surrender" to the EU.
Facts4EU believes the latest bill passing through Parliament further fuels this sense of betrayal, with the think tank pointing out that Starmer's cabinet is stuffed with Remainers (see graph above).
When approached for comment, a Government spokesperson said:
“This bill will preserve the UK's status as a global leader in product regulation, supporting businesses and protecting consumers as part of our Plan for Change.
“Any changes to regulation will be on a case-by-case basis, subject to consultation and agreed by parliament through a process we’ve used in this country for centuries.”
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