A coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats has planned to take on Rishi Sunak’s efforts to remove EU laws from the statute book by the end of the year.
The parties are working to amend the Retained EU Law Bill which places a sunset on the enforcement of all laws imported from Brussels unless ministers specifically state otherwise.
The proposed amendment would force the Commons and the Lords to debate each individual law singled out for removal.
With Conservative Brexiteers pushing Rishi Sunak to stick to the existing end of year deadline to remove EU legislation, the Labour peer pushing the Bill calling the Government’s handling “reckless”, and the Lib Dems calling it a “desperate power grab.”
Other critics say the Bill is undemocratic.
Rishi Sunak has said plans to potentially scrap thousands of European Union laws will help boost growth.
Ben Stansall
If passed, the Retained EU Law Bill would make it easier for the UK Government, via Parliament, to amend, repeal and replace EU law retained after Brexit.
It also allows nearly all remaining retained EU law to be either repealed or absorbed into UK domestic law by December 31, 2023.
No list of which laws could be ditched has been published.
The Bill will go before the House of Lords today (Thursday).
Speaking to The Telegraph, Baroness Chapman of Darlington said: “Labour opposes the Government’s entire approach to this Bill. Ministers are being reckless yet again, and that is why I have proposed this new clause. It is wrong for the Tories to be playing games with such important issues as animal welfare and consumer protections.”
Echoing Labour’s statement, Lord Fox said: “Parliament should ultimately be in control of the laws on our books. Instead, the Conservative government will make it possible to repeal the many important laws that protect the UK’s environmental standards, safety standards, employment rights and consumer rights without so much as a serious Parliamentary discussion.
“Liberal Democrats in the Lords will do everything in our power to fight this desperate power grab.”
Rishi Sunak has said plans to potentially scrap thousands of European Union laws will help boost growth.
The Government spokesperson said: “The Retained EU Law Bill will enable us to amend or remove burdensome retained EU law and ensure we can create the best regulatory environment in the UK to drive economic growth, boost innovation and develop a competitive advantage in future technology.
Rishi Sunak has said plans to potentially scrap thousands of European Union laws will help boost growth.
House of Commons
“We are committed to working collaboratively with Parliament to deliver this programme of work. That’s why we have ensured this Bill contains robust scrutiny mechanisms that will enable the appropriate scrutiny of any amendments or repeals of retained EU law.
“Any reforms will not come at the expense of the UK’s already high environmental standards, and ministers have been clear that we will maintain our international obligations.”
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