Member

To conclude, your Lordships will have seen the recent debate prompted by Donald Trump’s economic advisor, Stephen Moore. He stated in a bold fashion that the UK will have to decide whether its future law lies with freedom or the more socialist direction of the EU, as the recent tax-raising Budget implied. I am no fan of any measure under any Government of any complexion that gives the Secretary of State powers to make laws arbitrarily by statutory instrument over our goods economy. I am concerned about the uncertainty that this poses for our businesses—most of which are small—in terms of jobs, employment and costs. I am even more concerned at the blank cheque that it gives the Secretary of State arbitrarily to import EU law, which is notorious for its attempt to drive out all risk under a very different legal approach to that of the UK, as it is based on the code-based precautionary principle. It drives out challenges and small businesses to the detriment of jobs, costs and consumer choice.