Labor is under fire after reports claimed the UK is preparing to hand the EU courts fresh power over meat and dairy imports—sparking accusations of a major Brexit backtrack.
According to Bloomberg, British negotiators have signaled to EU officials that the government is open to aligning its food and agriculture rules with Brussels, a move that would give the EU Court of Justice a role in overseeing imports. It’s a sharp turn away from the stance held by the previous Conservative government, which drew a firm red line on EU judicial involvement after Brexit.
The proposal is part of preparations for a joint UK-EU summit on 19 May, where Sir Keir Starmer is set to host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders in London. Starmer described the upcoming summit as a chance to “reset” the UK’s relationship with the EU, covering issues like touring musicians, recognising professional qualifications, and smoother trade in animal and plant products.
But the idea of letting EU courts back into British trade decisions hasn’t gone down well with Brexit supporters.
Lord Frost, who played a leading role in negotiating the original Brexit deal, slammed the reports as a “terrible deal” and claimed Labour is rolling back years of hard-won sovereignty. “It’s been obvious for some months Labour are going to do this terrible deal and bring EU law and EU courts back into Britain,” he said. “All that struggle for control and independence – Labour are going to reverse it for nothing in return.”
He urged the Conservatives to push back and commit to scrapping any such agreement in their next manifesto.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel didn’t hold back either, saying: “Labour’s Brexit betrayal has begun. Having spent years in opposition trying to block Brexit, Keir Starmer and Labour are now sabotaging our Brexit freedoms and surrendering our sovereignty.”
“They want to impose EU laws on us through the back door, make Britain a rule-taker and subject us to ECJ decisions,” she warned, adding that Labour would soon be “opening up our borders next.”
Former MP Steve Baker also slammed the idea, saying it would not only betray Brexit but deal a blow to the UK’s economy. “It would be economic folly, an own goal we cannot afford,” he said.
Despite the backlash, a government spokesperson maintained that any talks are aimed at benefiting Britain. “We will act in Britain’s national interest… there will be no return to freedom of movement, the customs union or the single market.”
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