Dynamic alignment and Henry VIII powers: What will the Government’s EU reset mean for Parliament?

About this episode

The episode explores the implications of the Government's proposed EU reset and its impact on Parliament, featuring insights from Professor Catherine Barnard.

A bill to deliver the Government’s proposed “EU reset” is set to be a centrepiece of May’s King’s Speech. It will reportedly give Ministers powers to update UK law in line with certain EU rules (so-called “dynamic alignment”) in areas such as animal and plant health (known as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)), energy co-operation and emissions trading. Much of this is likely to be done through delegated legislation, including the use of controversial Henry VIII powers, allowing Ministers to amend primary legislation with limited parliamentary scrutiny. We are joined by Professor Catherine Barnard (University of Cambridge) to explore what dynamic alignment really means, why the UK is already tracking some EU rules, and whether this approach is a pragmatic economic necessity or a sidestepping of Parliament. We also discuss how Westminster and the devolved legislatures will need to adapt if they are to spot and shape policy before it is set in legislative stone by the European Commission. In a rare show of resistance, Parliament’s usually low-profile Ecclesiastical Committee has blocked a package of reforms to Church of England governance. What’s behind the clash over accountability…

People in this episode

Guest: Professor Catherine Barnard

Topics covered

• EU reset
• dynamic alignment
• Henry VIII powers
• delegated legislation
• parliamentary scrutiny
• Church of England governance
• prorogation

Keywords

• EU reset
• dynamic alignment
• Henry VIII powers
• delegated legislation
• parliamentary scrutiny
• Church of England
• prorogation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Cambridge, Church of England

Places: UK, Westminster, European Commission

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