The European Union’s clause to defend against a potential future Government led by Nigel Farage could call for a legal challenge, Reform’s foreign policy chief has told GB News.
In negotiations with Sir Keir Starmer, the bloc has made the new demand that any future British Government must cough up a sizeable sum if they wish to duck out of a post-Brexit “reset” deal.
The subsequently-dubbed “Farage clause” was hidden away in part of a potential EU-EK “veterinary agreement”, seen by the FT, which seeks to slash red tape for British food and drink exporters.
EU officials have admitted the addition was crafted to protect Brussels from the consequences of a Government led by the Brexit supremo.
Explaining the bloc was looking to settle a relationship to last beyond the next parliamentary term, a top European diplomat told the FT it was a “safety provision to provide stability and a deterrent for Farage and Co”.
Chief adviser on global affairs to Reform UK, Alan Mendoza, told GB News: “It may well be legal but it’s not cricket, as they say.
“I mean, the British people have all been asked about this. The British people, on the contrary, said we should have less to do the EU, not more.
“This Government did not go into the last election saying it was going to do deals like this.
Mr Mendoza said the clause could call for a legal challenge
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“And if it does a deal like this, which essentially ties the hands of future governments and it will have a lot to answer for.
“I suspect there probably will be a legal challenge in the sense to say this is not a sensible policy approach for any Government to be taking, because of course, this is not something that people have approved.”
Asked what Mr Farage thought of the clause, Mr Mendoza, who recently defected from the Conservative Party, told the People’s Channel the ex-MEP will “speak for himself”.
He added: “But quite clearly, Reform UK’s position has been to obviously want to renegotiate Britain’s status with all these European deals in the other direction, to have more freedom and to have more flexibility rather than being locked into things.
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Alan Mendoza ripped into the slew of ‘undemocratic’ moves from the Labour Government
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“It sounds suspiciously like EU by the back door.”
Referencing a number of Labour measures, from scrapping jury service to the introduction of digital ID to delaying local elections, Mr Mendoza blasted the anti-democratic principles demonstrated by the Government.
He added: “There’s a definite trend here, an authoritarian trend from this Government. And I suspect it’s because the Government knows it’s so unpopular.
“And as a result, it’s trying to push through as much significant change as it can do in a bid to try and fundamentally transform this country before it gets voted out.”
If Sir Keir agrees to the “Farage clause”, a Reform Government would “get us out of a deal like this with whatever means necessary and at minimal cost to the British public to restore the sovereignty that this Government appears to be undermining”, the ex-Tory declared.
Earlier today, Mr Farage took aim at the Prime Minister over the controversial clause, warning Sir Keir to steer clear of such an agreement.
He said: “No Parliament may bind its successor and we will not honour any clause. If Starmer signs this, it’s a democratic outrage.”
A key cornerstone of the British constitution is the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, refusing to allow any parliament to bind its successors.
It means any Parliament should have total power to make, amend or repeal any legislation – nor are they allowed to give the green light to legislation to bind future Parliaments.