Theresa May plans to scrap EU laws as she unveils new Great Repeal Bill to claw back power from the European courts
PM reveals first Brexit power grab with the Great Repeal Bill to be out before MPs in the spring
THERESA May will today take the first step towards freeing Britain from the grip of EU rule.
The PM will fire the Brexit starting gun by launching the process to claw back power and make our own parliament and courts supreme.
She will launch a Great Repeal Bill to stop Brussels imposing further laws on the UK – and scrap those that already exist.
The Bill will transfer all existing EU laws on to the UK statue book so the government can decide which ones to keep, amend or scrap.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday, Mrs May declared: “This weekend marks the first stage in the UK becoming a sovereign and independent country.”
Mrs May added: “All EU laws will transfer into British law and then we can unpick them one by one as we please.”
The historic Bill will be in the next Queen’s Speech and is the first in a chain of events leading to Britain’s withdrawal from the EU.
It will formally scrap the 1972 European Communities Act which makes all EU diktats legally binding in this country.
Mrs May’s decision to launch the Bill comes exactly 100 days after Brits voted to leave the EU – and proves she is serious about Brexit.
And it is a swift slapdown to Tory ex-minister Ken Clarke and Nicky Morgan who last week accused her of having no game plan.
The Bill, which will be put before MPs in the spring, will end the authority of EU law in Britain from the date upon which we finally leave.
It will lead to the biggest return of power in half-a-century, meaning that UK laws will be made in Britain, not Brussels and interpreted by judges sitting in this country, not Luxembourg.
Mrs May said: “The Great Repeal Bill will return power and authority to the elected institutions of our country. Put simply, it means that the authority of EU law in Britain will end.”
She added: “Leaving the EU presents this country with real opportunities. And I am very clear that we will make a success of it.
“We will deliver the national mandate for Brexit, and do so in the national interest.”
Seven stupid EU rules for axe
THE Great Repeal Bill will axe a string of unnecessary EU regulations imposed on Britain.
VACUUM CLEANERS: Motors above 1,600 watts are forbidden in the EU.
IMMIGRATION: Free movement rules force Britain to admit citizens from 27 EU states.
VAT ON FUEL: The EU insists 15 per cent is slapped on bills, so our government can’t give consumers a tax break.
FISHING: EU fleets get equal access to waters within 12 nautical miles of the coast and there are quotas on stocks.
LIGHTBULBS: British homes and businesses are forced to use dimmer energy-saving bulbs instead of the brighter incandescent type.
WELFARE: EU citizens over here can get UK child benefit, even if their children live in another country.
WORKING TIME: Employees are limited to 48 hours a week so Brits can’t earn more overtime.
The European Communities Act gives authority to EU law in the UK and allows the European Courts of Justice to deliver judgements that are binding on us.
But the action signalled by Mrs May will ensure it ceases to apply from the day of exit - making domestic law supreme again.
MPs would be free to keep, amend or improve any law they choose.
Mrs May also made a pledge not only to safeguard but improve workers’ rights once we pull out.
She said: “Under this government, workers’ rights will not just be protected but enhanced.
"The Conservative party is the true workers’ party, the only party dedicated to making Britain a country that works, not just for the privileged few but for every single one of us.”