A well-known Brexiteer is rejoicing after claiming the UK had been “saved” from 200,000 EU laws since voting to leave the bloc in 2016.
Since Britain left the EU some 4,640 directives including 200,000 pages of new laws and rulings that EU member states must follow have been implemented.
Former Conservative MEP for the East of England, David Bannerman, said the new rules proved “the EU machine hasn’t stopped” adding that he felt it was very different to the union Britain left officially four years ago today.
He said on Twitter: “Brexit has saved us from another 200,000 EU laws since we left in 2016. The EU machine hasn’t stopped and is very different from the EU we left at Brexit, even four years ago.”
Recently introduced EU laws include its Artificial Intelligence Act, which established a regulatory framework for AI, and the Data Act, which regulates how businesses and consumers can access data generated by connected devices.
It comes after a speech on the fourth anniversary of Brexit in which business secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said Brexit would deliver “tangible benefits” for Brits.
She said: “In the face of global instability, the headwinds of COVID and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK’s economic performance has defied all expectations.
“When we left the European Union, there were many forecasts of inevitable decline. These have been proven false.
“Since the pandemic, our economy has grown faster than Germany’s.
“Our service exports are at a record high and the IMF predicts that between 2025-2028 the UK will see the third fastest growth in the G7 – stronger than France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
“The UK is capitalizing on its hard-won freedoms, but the Government is also ensuring Brexit delivers real, tangible benefits for the British people, too.”
Some rules brought in by Britain since leaving the EU include two-year prison sentences for those who misuse algorithms that can bring about self-harm or suicide.
In contrast, the EU’s Digital Services Act does not include sanctions that deter those misusing algorithms and prevent the vulnerable from suffering.
