Labour’s Brexit betrayal continues
Labour offers to ‘align’ with EU rules in latest Brexit rollback
Labour Signals Willingness to Align with EU Regulations in Latest Brexit Development
In a significant policy development that indicates Labour’s evolving stance on Brexit relations, the Government has extended an offer to harmonise with European Union regulations concerning chemical packaging standards. This move represents the latest indication of Labour’s readiness to revisit certain Brexit arrangements.
## Northern Ireland Secretary’s Pivotal Declaration
The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, serving as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has made a substantial commitment: should new European packaging regulations threaten to disrupt UK companies’ ability to supply Northern Ireland, Westminster would undertake the necessary steps to realign British legislation with EU standards.
This pronouncement emerged following Mr Benn’s rejection of a formal request from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to employ the “Stormont brake” mechanism, which would have prevented the implementation of these new regulations. The situation underscores the complex interplay between post-Brexit arrangements and Northern Ireland’s unique position.
## The Northern Ireland Context
The circumstances surrounding this development are deeply rooted in the existing Brexit framework. Northern Ireland continues to operate under the influence of hundreds of European Union regulations that do not apply to the remainder of the United Kingdom—a direct consequence of the Brexit agreement designed to prevent the establishment of a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.
The regulation in question establishes standardised European requirements for the packaging and labelling of chemicals, encompassing detailed specifications such as permitted typefaces and spacing requirements for hazard descriptions.
## Strategic Timing and Diplomatic Considerations
The Government’s decision to refrain from blocking this regulation appears strategically timed, avoiding potential friction with the European Union ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s scheduled meeting with European leaders on 3rd February in Brussels. This meeting aims to initiate discussions regarding enhanced cooperation across trade, defence, and foreign policy domains.
## Chemical Regulation Agreement Aspirations
As part of the broader “reset” in post-Brexit relations, the United Kingdom is actively pursuing an agreement with the EU concerning chemical regulations. Brussels has made its position clear: such an arrangement would necessitate British alignment with EU regulatory standards.
## Official Communication and Commitment
In his official correspondence to Edwin Poots, the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Benn articulated the Government’s position with notable clarity: “We shall implement necessary measures to prevent the emergence of new regulatory barriers stemming from our classification, labelling and packaging protocols for chemicals that might compromise supplies to Northern Ireland.”
He further expanded on this commitment, stating that “The Government shall explicitly undertake consultation regarding the implementation of a uniform regime across the United Kingdom, should this prove necessary to safeguard the integrity of the UK internal market.” This additional assurance appears designed to placate the DUP, which had previously suspended its participation in Stormont for two years due to disagreements over post-Brexit trading arrangements.
## Historical Context: The First Use of the Stormont Brake
December witnessed a significant political manoeuvre when the DUP initiated a motion to activate the “Stormont brake” concerning the EU Regulation on Chemical Classification, Labelling and Packaging. This motion received unanimous support from unionist parties and marked the inaugural deployment of this Brexit deal mechanism, which enables Northern Ireland Assembly members to register objections to new European legislation.
## Governmental Decision-Making Framework
The ultimate authority for determining whether the threshold for implementing the brake—defined as rules having “a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland”—rests with the UK Government.
## Benn’s Reasoning and Market Considerations
Mr Benn’s assessment concluded that the threshold requirements for activating the brake remained unmet. He highlighted that labelling regulations already differed between Northern Ireland and Great Britain due to devolved powers. Furthermore, he emphasised the global nature of the chemical market, noting that numerous companies would naturally align with new EU regulations to maintain access to its substantial market.
## Opposition and Criticism
The Government’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from Brexit supporters and unionist politicians. Lord Frost, who served as Brexit negotiator during Boris Johnson’s administration, expressed significant concern, stating to the Telegraph: “Hilary Benn has revealed the true situation. We are being drawn back into the EU’s sphere of influence—and Labour appears entirely comfortable facilitating this process.”
Gavin Robinson, leading the DUP, characterised the Government’s decision as erroneous and “a serious miscalculation” that would “intensify trade complications between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
## Future Implications and Political Landscape
This development raises important questions about the future trajectory of UK-EU relations and the practical implications of post-Brexit arrangements. It particularly highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing Northern Ireland’s unique position with broader UK policy objectives and international trade considerations.
The situation continues to evolve, with significant implications for UK-EU relations, internal UK market dynamics, and the political landscape in Northern Ireland. As these developments unfold, they will likely shape the broader discourse on post-Brexit Britain’s relationship with the European Union and the future of UK internal market cohesion.
Summary
• Labour’s government has indicated willingness to align with EU chemical packaging regulations, marking a significant shift in Brexit policy
• Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland Secretary, promised to rewrite British laws to match EU standards if new packaging rules threaten supply to Northern Ireland
• The government rejected the DUP’s request to use the “Stormont brake” mechanism to block new EU chemical regulations
• This decision comes ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s planned meeting with EU leaders in Brussels on February 3rd to discuss closer trade and policy ties
• Northern Ireland currently follows hundreds of EU laws that don’t apply to the rest of the UK, due to Brexit arrangements preventing a hard border with Ireland
• The DUP and Brexit supporters have criticised this move:
– Lord Frost called it evidence of being “pulled back by the EU’s tractor beam”
– DUP leader Gavin Robinson termed it a “grave mistake” that would increase trade friction
– The Ulster Unionist Party suggested this shows the Windsor Framework protections are a “sham”
• This was the first-ever attempt to use the Stormont brake mechanism, which allows Northern Ireland Assembly members to object to new EU laws
• The UK government is seeking a broader deal on chemical regulation with the EU as part of improving post-Brexit relations
• Critics view this as potentially the first step in Labour’s broader strategy to move closer to EU alignment, though rejoining the bloc isn’t officially proposed