Deteriorating Starmer's EU Agreement Foreseen
The Brexit agreement negotiated by Labour leader Keir Starmer has drawn sharp criticism from former chief Brexit negotiator, Lord Frost. He accuses the deal of ceding significant authority to the EU, particularly over sensitive areas such as farming, fishing, energy, and defence, while reaping minimal benefits in return.
In an interview with our website's Fraser Myers, Lord Frost questioned Starmer's assertion of the agreement being a win for both sides, stating, "It's a win for the EU, as they now have a greater say in British economic life. But if you're someone who advocates for Brexit, it's a disastrous deal that sets us back and puts us further under EU control."
The extended transition period concerning fishing has become a contentious point. Lord Frost explains that while initially agreeing to a five-and-a-half-year transition period, the deal now extends EU fishing rights in UK waters by an additional 12 years. This, according to Lord Frost, is far beyond what the UK agreed to in 2020 and could not have been anticipated.
Addressing food products, Lord Frost contends that the agreement compels all food companies in the UK, regardless of their export practices, to adhere to EU regulations. This, in turn, means the UK cannot pass laws that don't align with EU standards and can't import goods from other nations that fail to meet EU standards, even if British traders are comfortable with the imports themselves.
Furthermore, Lord Frost highlighted the agreement's implications on energy policy, as the UK commits to joining the European Union's emissions-trading scheme, a move that will likely increase energy prices due to the EU's carbon pricing being 50% higher than in the UK. Moreover, the UK will not be able to set less ambitious Net Zero targets without the EU's approval.
Lord Frost also questioned the perceived value of the new defence pact, arguing it is little more than a symbolic gesture, offering little substance or genuine collaboration. He concluded that, despite the deal not yet being finalized, further concessions are likely, potentially making the situation worse as it becomes legally binding.
- The criticism of the Brexit agreement by Lord Frost extends beyond fishing rights, as he claims that the deal's provisions for food regulations under 'culture' and 'politics' impact the autonomy of UK food companies, compelling them to adhere to EU regulations without the freedom to set their own standards.
- Lord Frost's concerns about the Brexit agreement also involve energy policy, where he highlights the UK's commitment to join the EU's emissions-trading scheme under identity politics, a move that could lead to increased energy prices due to the EU's carbon pricing being 50% higher than in the UK.
- The Brexit agreement, according to Lord Frost, has implications that go beyond economics and politics, with its provisions for a new defence pact being criticized as symbolic gestures offering little substance or genuine collaboration in the face of 'cancel culture' and 'populism'.
