Image: from David Lawrence X @DavidSocialX
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
April 13, 2026
LONDON — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has ignited a fierce political firestorm following the announcement of a landmark “UK-EU Reset Bill” intended to align British regulations with Brussels to ease trade friction. The legislation, which includes controversial “Henry VIII” powers, is set to be the centerpiece of the King’s Speech on May 13.
The proposed law would allow the government to adopt EU single market rules through secondary legislation, a move critics argue would effectively “rubber-stamp” Brussels-made laws without full parliamentary scrutiny or the ability for MPs to suggest amendments.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith, reacts to reports Sir Keir Starmer is set to push through legislation aligning the UK with EU rules without a vote from MPs. He agrees that it is a betrayal of Brexit, adding 'it's even worse, it's a betrayal of Parliament'. pic.twitter.com/5cuczocxvm
— GB News (@GBNEWS) April 13, 2026
The Trade Argument
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the Prime Minister defended the shift as a pragmatic necessity in a world destabilized by the ongoing war in Iran and global economic volatility.
“I strongly believe that the UK’s best interests are in a stronger, closer relationship with Europe, whether that’s defense and security, energy, or our economy,” Starmer said. He argued that the bill would unlock a food and drink trade deal worth £5.1 billion a year, slashing “costly red tape” for British producers and lowering household prices.
A government spokesperson added that while the bill provides a mechanism for dynamic alignment, it will still face “the normal parliamentary scrutiny process” during its initial passage.
‘Integration by Stealth’
The plans have been met with stinging rebukes from across the opposition benches:
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John Cooper (Scottish Conservative MP): The MP for Dumfries and Galloway described the move as a “Brexit betrayal” and “rule-taking by another name.” He warned that accepting EU rules on herbicides like Asulox or grain contaminants (mycotoxins) would harm Scottish farmers who face unique environmental conditions compared to their European counterparts.
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Andrew Griffith (Shadow Business Secretary): Accused the government of reducing Parliament to a “spectator” and claimed Starmer was “scurrying to Brussels” to distract from domestic economic failings.
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Nigel Farage (Reform UK): Denounced the bill as a “backdoor attempt” to drag Britain back under EU control without the voting rights or vetoes that came with membership.
The SNP Position
From the other side of the constitutional debate, the SNP’s Stephen Gethins dismissed the bill as “fiddling around the edges.” Gethins argued that Brexit is costing the UK £250 million a day and stated that the only way to undo the damage is to rejoin the EU as an independent nation.
Looking Ahead to May 13
The “UK-EU Reset Bill” comes as the UK and EU aim to finalize a youth mobility scheme and a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area by this summer.
While the government maintains its “red lines” against rejoining the Single Market or Customs Union, the use of secondary legislation to adopt EU rules suggests that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ vision of regulatory divergence being the “exception, not the norm” is rapidly becoming the new administrative reality.