Government's EU Reset Contradicts Parliament's Intentions: A Constitutional Reversal

Strategic Insights -

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for the Constitution and European Relations, claims that the Government's EU reset is being done in the national interest, to secure borders, bring down bills, and protect jobs. However, this contradicts the very objective of Parliament's intentions and undermines the centuries-old principle of legality upon which the sovereignty of Parliament depends. The reset involves "dynamic alignment," which would draw the UK back into the orbit of EU law-making and prevent genuine competition in international trade. This move would also result in the UK paying massive sums into the EU budget and subjecting itself to the European Court of Justice's final legal rulings. Furthermore, the reset would erode the sovereignty of Parliament, which previously implemented the result of the 2016 referendum to leave the EU through the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Government's EU reset contradicts Parliament's intentions by allowing "dynamic alignment," which would draw the UK back into the orbit of EU law-making and prevent genuine competition in international trade.
  • The reset would result in the UK paying massive sums into the EU budget, subjecting itself to the European Court of Justice's final legal rulings, and eroding the sovereignty of Parliament.
  • The Acts of Parliament to leave the EU remain in full force, which include the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 and the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.
  • The reset undermines the centuries-old principle of legality upon which the sovereignty of Parliament depends.
  • The reset was done without proper select committee accountability, such as the European Scrutiny Committee, which was abolished in July 2024.
  • Nick Thomas-Symonds's claims about exports being down due to the EU reset are inaccurate, as the ONS shows total UK exports to the EU increased 19% in current prices from 2019 to 2024.
  • The claim that animal product health certificates cost £200 each is also inaccurate, with a repeat request costing only £60.50.
  • A YouGov poll commissioned in August demonstrated that 60% of voters from all political parties insisted that policy decisions should be made by the UK Government and Parliament alone.

Statistics:

  • Total UK exports to the EU increased 19% in current prices from 2019 to 2024, and by 23% to non-EU countries (ONS).
  • The number of micro companies exporting to the EU increased by 34% between 2019-2022 (ONS).
  • The EU reset would impose 300 areas of EU law and an EU customs code on 1.9 million UK citizens in Northern Ireland.
  • The Government's EU reset would result in the UK paying massive sums into the EU budget.

Sources:

  • European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020
  • European Union (Future Relationship Act) 2020
  • Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
  • ONS: UK Trade in Goods and Services, April 2022
  • YouGov poll commissioned in August by Queen Mary University of London
  • Telegraph: opinion READ MORE at telegraph.co.uk/opinion