Sir Keir Starmer is attempting to resurrect Theresa May’s “disastrous” Brexit deal by tying Britain into mirroring new EU rules, Lord Frost has warned.
The former Brexit negotiator said a law being introduced by the Government would “keep this country in the tractor beam” of Brussels regulators.
He made the remarks as Parliament held its first debate on legislation that would overhaul the existing rules around product safety and certification. The Bill, tabled by Labour ministers, includes a clause that would mean all UK laws “can be updated to recognise new or updated EU product regulations”.
Lord Frost claimed it was the first step in a wider plan to accept EU rules and the jurisdiction of the bloc’s court in return for closer trading ties.
“It is simply the beginning of a path in which this country slips back closer, without voters noticing, to single market-like trade arrangements,” the former Brexit negotiator told peers.
“I fully expect that that is what the Government will try to do – the resurrection of the disastrous Chequers proposals to keep this country in lockstep with the EU.”
Mrs May’s doomed Chequers deal would have led to the UK and the EU maintaining a “common rulebook” in return for the continuation of frictionless trade in goods.
It was drawn up to try to solve the problem of the Northern Ireland border, but was rejected by Brexiteers as effectively keeping Britain in the EU single market.
Brussels was also opposed to the plan on the grounds that it would have allowed the UK to “cherry pick” trade access without free movement of people.
Sir Keir has said he wants to “reset” ties with Europe following a turbulent eight years and secure a deal that will smooth cross-Channel trade.
His plans include a proposed agreement on agricultural exports that would be likely to see Britain have to sign up to adopting EU rules on food safety. But he promised in Labour’s manifesto not to take Britain back into the single market or customs union or accept the return of free movement.
Lord Leong, a Government minister, said the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill was about giving consumers “confidence that what you buy is safe”.
He added: “This Bill will underpin the UK’s position at the forefront of international trade and enable the recognition of EU product requirements where it is in the UK’s interests to do so. It supports consumers, businesses and economic growth.”
