Keir Starmer’s Bid to Slap EU Rules on Britain Using Henry VIII Powers ‘Blown Out the Water’ by Stunning Chart

Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial plan to use Henry VIII powers to rubber-stamp EU regulations on Britain has been “blown out the water” by a stunning new chart showing the UK economy has suffered no “deep damage” from Brexit and remains the second-largest in Europe.

Labour’s King’s Speech Plan Under Fire

The Prime Minister is set to unveil legislation in the King’s Speech on 13 May that would revive 76 EU directives and hand ministers sweeping powers to align Britain with Brussels food and drink laws. The move forms part of Labour’s wider “reset” with the EU despite the 2016 referendum result.

Facts4EU Chart Destroys Starmer’s Brexit Blame Game

A powerful new analysis by the Facts4EU think tank compares the UK’s GDP with the EU’s top five economies over the past decade. The chart shows all six nations followed the same economic pattern — including the pandemic dip — with no evidence of “deep damage” from Brexit.

In 2025 the UK’s GDP stood at $3,814 billion, placing it second only to Germany ($5,106 billion) and just ahead of France ($3,801 billion). Italy, Spain and the Netherlands trailed behind. The data directly contradicts repeated claims by Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves that Brexit has harmed the British economy.

Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice Reacts

Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice told GB News: “Sir Keir and friends seem to think if they tell the public a big enough whopper, and repeat it often enough, the public will be fooled. We think people are smarter than that. And now there’s one chart that totally destroys what little credibility this Government still had. The whole justification for Labour’s flagship bill in the King’s speech next month has just been blown out of the water by this stunning chart from the Facts4EU think tank.”

Labour Accused of Another Brexit Betrayal

Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Mike Wood slammed the deal, saying it will cost up to £8.75 billion and “bankroll the education of more EU students than British ones” under the re-joined Erasmus+ scheme. He warned the bill will “soar even higher over time” and represents “extremely poor value for British taxpayers”.

Under the previous Erasmus scheme, twice as many EU students came to the UK as British students went abroad. The post-Brexit Turing scheme introduced by the Conservatives delivered better value and benefited more UK students.

• UK GDP second-largest in Europe behind only Germany
• No “deep damage” from Brexit shown in decade-long OECD data
• Henry VIII powers to revive 76 EU directives
• £8.75 billion cost to taxpayers for Erasmus+ re-entry
• Labour’s “reset” despite 2016 referendum result

Reform UK: Britain Must Put British Interests First

Reform UK has consistently opposed Labour’s backdoor re-entry into EU rules. The party argues that British laws should be made in Britain, British taxpayers’ money should benefit British students and businesses first, and the 2016 referendum result must be respected.

What This Means for Britain

The Facts4EU chart provides clear evidence that Britain’s economy has performed strongly since leaving the EU, contradicting Labour’s narrative that Brexit is to blame for every economic problem. Yet Sir Keir Starmer is still pushing ahead with legislation that would hand Brussels influence over British food, drink and trade rules using controversial Henry VIII powers.

At a time when families are struggling with the cost of living, critics say billions should not be spent re-joining expensive EU schemes that previously delivered poor value for UK taxpayers. The King’s Speech bill will now face intense parliamentary scrutiny, with Reform UK and Conservative voices demanding full transparency on costs and the impact on British sovereignty.

With local elections approaching, voters are increasingly frustrated by Labour’s EU reset. Reform UK’s clear message — respect the referendum, put Britain first and stop the backdoor re-entry — continues to gain support as the public sees through the spin.

Share if you believe Britain should not be dragged back into EU rules by Henry VIII powers.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News. Full original story available on their website. All quotes and chart data directly attributed to Facts4EU and OECD.