Retained, but for how long?
As the end of the year approaches so to does the UK government’s determination to get rid of all retained EU law.
The new law to make this possible has a deadline of the end of 2023 to abolish thousands and thousands of laws and then decide to replace them, or not, with UK versions.
For the saddos in the ERG this is the jewel in the crown of Brexit, but they are terrified that ministers will have the power to delay any and all changes until 2026.
They are now warning that delay would play into the Labour party’s hands at any general election because they could claim the government was planning to abolish sick pay or maternity leave- although that is exactly the kind of thing many of them do want to do.
What none of them seems to care about is British business and investment.
Who would plan to increase production if they don’t know what their wage costs will be , or the new environmental standards, or the safety rules or product design?
Businesses and business organisations are making it perfectly clear a bonfire of red tape is the last thing they want or need. They also don’t want to have to produce goods for the EU to one set of standards and those for the UK by another.
But for the ERG this is the freedom they have dreamt about for years.
It is a fantasy, a fantasy based on a complete misunderstanding of what the country and its economy needs, it will do great damage, crush investment and encourage business to leave the UK.
It will also drag on for years.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.
By Jonty Bloom Media