Babak Belurs

Senin, 14 September 2020

Brexit: Internal Market Bill clears first hurdle in Commons - BBC News

A proposed law giving Boris Johnson's government the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU has passed its first hurdle in the Commons.

MPs backed the Internal Market Bill by 340 votes to 263.

Ministers say it contains vital safeguards to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, if negotiations on a future trade deal break down.

But critics, including a number of Tory MPs, warned it risks damaging the UK by breaching international law.

Although the government has a majority of 80 in the Commons, it is braced for rebellions in the coming weeks as the legislation receives detailed scrutiny.

Several prominent Conservatives, including former Chancellor Sajid Javid, have said they could not support the final bill unless it is amended, with a number expected to have abstained in Monday's vote.

'Straight-dealing'

Sir Roger Gale, the Tory MP for North Thanet in Kent, told the BBC's Newsnight he had voted against the bill as a "matter of principle" to uphold international law.

"I think that this is damaging our international reputation for honest and straight-dealing at a time when we are about to embark on a series of trade negotiations. I took a view that you fight this tooth and nail at every step."

He suggested other colleagues were "holding their fire" until later in the bill's passage, with a group led by ex-minister Sir Bob Neill pressing for a "parliamentary lock" on the government's ability to exercise the powers.

"I'm not remotely surprised that I am a tiny minority. I think that may change next Tuesday," he added.

Bill's remit

The bill is designed to enable goods and services to flow freely across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when the UK leaves the EU's single market and customs union on 1 January.

But, controversially, it gives the government the power to change aspects of the EU withdrawal agreement, a legally-binding deal governing the terms of the UK's exit from the EU earlier this year.

Ministers say this is a failsafe mechanism in case the EU interprets the agreement, in particular the Northern Ireland Protocol designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, in an "extreme and unreasonable" way.

During a five-hour debate, Mr Johnson claimed the EU's current approach could lead to excessive checks and even tariffs on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

He said the bill would ensure the UK's "economic and political integrity", accusing the EU of making unfair demands to "exert leverage" in the trade talks - including a threat to block food exports.

But ministers also said they would listen to concerns, insisting that the powers being sought would only be used if other legal avenues had been exhausted and only if MPs explicitly voted to activate them.

A government spokesman said it was vital the bill - which is expected to face stern opposition in the House of Lords - becomes law by the end of the year when EU law will cease to have effect in the UK.

"It will protect the territorial integrity of the UK and the peace in Northern Ireland, safeguarding trade and jobs across all four corners of the UK following the end of the transition period," he said.

The PM also held a call with Conservative members of the House of Lords on Monday night.

Labour said the PM was reneging on a deal he himself signed earlier this year, and on which Conservative MPs campaigned in the 2019 election, and was "trashing" the UK's reputation.

But the Commons also voted against a Labour amendment to reject the bill entirely by 349 votes to 213.

MPs will now begin detailed scrutiny of the bill on Tuesday with Conservative MPs seeking further assurances that the UK will not betray its treaty obligations.

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2020-09-14 22:18:45Z
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Brexit: Internal Market Bill clears first hurdle in Commons - BBC News

A proposed law giving Boris Johnson's government the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU has passed its first hurdle in the Commons.

MPs backed the Internal Market Bill by 340 votes to 263.

Ministers say it contains vital safeguards to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, if negotiations on a future trade deal break down.

But critics, including a number of Tory MPs, warned it risks damaging the UK by breaching international law.

Although the government has a majority of 80 in the Commons, it is braced for rebellions in the coming weeks as the legislation receives detailed scrutiny.

'Straight-dealing'

Sir Roger Gale, the Tory MP for North Thanet in Kent, told the BBC's Newsnight he had voted against the bill as a "matter of principle" to uphold international law.

"I'm not remotely surprised that I am a tiny minority. I think that may change next Tuesday," he added.

Bill's remit

The bill is designed to enable goods and services to flow freely across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when the UK leaves the EU's single market and customs union on 1 January.

But, controversially, it gives the government the power to change aspects of the EU withdrawal agreement, a legally-binding deal governing the terms of the UK's exit from the EU earlier this year.

During a five-hour debate, Mr Johnson claimed the EU's current approach could lead to excessive checks and even tariffs on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

He said the bill would ensure the UK's "economic and political integrity", accusing the EU of making unfair demands to "exert leverage" in the trade talks - including a threat to block food exports.

The PM also held a call with Conservative members of the House of Lords on Monday night.

Labour said the PM was reneging on a deal he himself signed earlier this year, and on which Conservative MPs campaigned in the 2019 election, and was "trashing" the UK's reputation.

But the Commons also voted against a Labour amendment to reject the bill entirely by 349 votes to 213.

MPs will now begin detailed scrutiny of the bill on Tuesday with Conservative MPs seeking further assurances that the UK will not betray its treaty obligations.

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Brexit: Internal Market Bill clears first hurdle in Commons - BBC News

A proposed law giving Boris Johnson's government the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU has passed its first hurdle in the Commons.

MPs backed the Internal Market Bill by 340 votes to 263.

Ministers say it contains vital safeguards to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, if negotiations on a future trade deal break down.

But critics, including a number of Tory MPs, warned it risks damaging the UK by breaching international law.

Although the government has a majority of 80 in the Commons, it is braced for rebellions in the coming weeks as the legislation receives detailed scrutiny.

'Straight-dealing'

Sir Roger Gale, the Tory MP for North Thanet in Kent, told the BBC's Newsnight he had voted against the bill as a "matter of principle" to uphold international law.

"I'm not remotely surprised that I am a tiny minority. I think that may change next Tuesday," he added.

Bill's remit

The bill is designed to enable goods and services to flow freely across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when the UK leaves the EU's single market and customs union on 1 January.

But, controversially, it gives the government the power to change aspects of the EU withdrawal agreement, a legally-binding deal governing the terms of the UK's exit from the EU earlier this year.

During a five-hour debate, Mr Johnson claimed the EU's current approach could lead to excessive checks and even tariffs on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

He said the bill would ensure the UK's "economic and political integrity", accusing the EU of making unfair demands to "exert leverage" in the trade talks - including a threat to block food exports.

The PM also held a call with Conservative members of the House of Lords on Monday night.

Labour said the PM was reneging on a deal he himself signed earlier this year, and on which Conservative MPs campaigned in the 2019 election, and was "trashing" the UK's reputation.

But the Commons also voted against a Labour amendment to reject the bill entirely by 349 votes to 213.

MPs will now begin detailed scrutiny of the bill on Tuesday with Conservative MPs seeking further assurances that the UK will not betray its treaty obligations.

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'He doesn't know his stuff': Ed Miliband challenges Johnson on internal market bill - Guardian News

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'He doesn't know his stuff': Ed Miliband challenges Johnson on internal market bill Guardian News
LIVE: MPs debate controversial Internal Markets Bill in Parliament The Telegraph
Fifth ex-PM speaks out against post-Brexit bill BBC News
Boris Johnson’s Brexit mess is a threat to peace in Northern Ireland The Independent
When taking Brexit moral highground hurts British people it may be best avoided COMMENT Express
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2020-09-14 18:54:55Z
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Glasgow and west of Scotland lockdown to continue for another week - Daily Record

Lockdown restrictions across west central Scotland will continue for another week to keep a lid on the spread of lethal Covid-19.

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the move which covers more than one million people across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Lanarkshire health board regions.

The First Minister had earlier signalled it was too early to lift the ban on mixing in each other’s houses.

After another meeting with health experts on Monday afternoon, Sturgeon said: "I would ask everyone in the affected areas to continue being extra vigilant, to follow all guidance and to isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms. Do not lose ground now."

The measures are tougher than in the rest of Scotland where up to six people from no more than two households can meet socially inside or outside.

Restrictions are tighter in Glasgow city, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire.

The rules in the affected councils are:

People should not meet those from other households in affected council areas or elsewhere.
Members of up to two households, and up to six people, can carry on meeting outside including gardens and pubs.
Indoor visits to hospitals and care homes are limited to essential only.
Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by three people from up to two households.
Extended households to provide care and support are allowed to continue meeting indoors with enhanced hygiene.

The next review will be on Tuesday September 22.

Confirming the restrictions, Sturgeon said: "It is clearly regrettable that these restrictions need to continue. I understand that this will not be welcome news for people living in these areas but given the continued worrying increase in cases we continue to see we must act to get more control over the virus in these areas. But while cases remain on the rise, early indications show these measures are working.

"Above all, I want to emphasise that getting a test – and even getting a negative result – is not a substitute for self-isolating. If you have symptoms, or if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to do so, you will need to self-isolate.

"Over 900,000 people have already downloaded the Protect Scotland app, which is a really important way to support Test and Protect and also to keep our communities safe. In the face of Covid, we can all feel a bit powerless but, if you have the means, using the app is a way of doing something positive that helps the collective effort."

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2020-09-14 17:42:00Z
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Brexit: Boris Johnson says powers will ensure UK cannot be 'broken up' - BBC News

Boris Johnson has said the UK must reserve the right to override the Brexit deal to protect the country's "economic and political integrity".

The PM said legislation was needed to resolve "tensions" in the EU-UK deal.

He said it would ensure the UK could not be "broken up" by a foreign power and the EU was acting in an "extreme way", by threatening food exports.

Labour said the PM had caused the "mess" by reneging on a deal he had previously called a "triumph".

The Internal Markets Bill is expected to pass its first parliamentary test later, when MPs vote on it at 22.00 BST, despite the reservations of many MPs that it gives the UK the power to break international law.

A number of Conservative MPs have said they will not support the bill as it stands and some could register their concerns by abstaining.

The UK left the EU on 31 January, having negotiated and signed the withdrawal agreement with the bloc.

A key part of the agreement - which is now an international treaty - was the Northern Ireland Protocol, designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.

The Internal Market Bill proposed by the government would override that part of that agreement when it came to movement of goods between Northern Ireland and Britain and would allow the UK to re-interpret "state aid" rules on subsidies for firms in Northern Ireland, in the event of the two sides not agreeing a future trade deal.

'Protective powers'

Speaking at the start of the five-hour debate, the PM said the bill should be "welcomed by everyone" who cares about the "sovereignty and integrity of the UK".

He said the UK had signed up to the "finely balanced" withdrawal agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol, in "good faith" and was committed to honouring its obligations, including the introduction of "light touch" checks on trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

But he said additional "protective powers" were now necessary to guard against the EU's "proven willingness" to interpret aspects of the agreement in "absurd" ways, "simply to exert leverage" in the trade talks.

"What we cannot tolerate now is a situation where our EU counterparts seriously believe they have the power to break up our country," he told MPs.

"We cannot have a situation where the very boundaries of our country can be dictated to by a foreign power or international organisation."

He also suggested the EU was threatening not to allow British firms to export products of animal origin to either the continent or Northern Ireland.

"Absurd and self-defeating as that action would be even...the EU still have not taken this revolver off the table," he told MPs.

However, he sought to reassure MPs that the powers were an "insurance policy" and Parliament would be given a vote before they were ever invoked, insisting "I have absolutely no desire to use these measures".

'Hooliganism'

But former Labour leader Ed Miliband, standing in for Sir Keir Starmer after the Labour leader was forced to self-isolate at home, said the "very act of passing the law" would constitute a breach of international law.

He told MPs the PM "could not blame anyone else" having drawn up and signed the Brexit deal himself.

"It is his deal, it is his mess, it is his failure," he said. "For the first time in his life, it is time to take responsibility and to fess up," he said. "Either he was not straight with the country in the first place or he did not understand it."

He added: "This is not just legislative hooliganism on any issue, it is on the most sensitive issue of all."

Conservative MP Sir Bob Neill said the government must "exhaust" all avenues available through the existing agreement to resolve differences before taking such as a profound step.

The government's actions, he said, were "needlessly provocative" to the ongoing trade negotiations and "needlessly undermine our reputation for sticking to the rule of law".

And Former Chancellor Sajid Javid has joined the ranks of potential rebels, saying he could not see why it was necessary to "pre-emptively renege" on the withdrawal agreement.

"Breaking international law is never a step that should be taken lightly," he tweeted.

A senior government source told the BBC "all options are on the table" in terms of possible action against Tory MPs who do not support the bill.

The legislation, which sets out how trade between different nations of the UK will operate after the UK leaves the single market on 1 January, is likely to face more difficulties in its later stages, especially in the House of Lords.

The SNP's Ian Blackford said the bill was the "greatest threat" to devolved government in Scotland since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament 20 years ago.

"We are discussing the details of a bill which this government casually and brazenly admits breaks international and domestic law, a bill that cynically uses the precious peace at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement as nothing more than a Brexit bargaining chip," he said.

Five former prime ministers have raised concerns about the bill, including Boris Johnson's predecessor Theresa May - who is absent from Monday's debate as she is on a visit to South Korea.

Speaking earlier on Monday, David Cameron said "passing an act of Parliament and then going on to break an international treaty obligation...should be the absolute final resort".

THE RULE OF SIX: What's in the small print?
UNWIND WITH THE MINDFUL MIX: Switch off and escape

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2020-09-14 18:00:00Z
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Brexit: Boris Johnson says powers will ensure UK cannot be 'broken up' - BBC News

Boris Johnson has said the UK must reserve the right to override the Brexit deal to protect the country's "economic and political integrity".

The PM said legislation was needed to resolve "tensions" in the EU-UK deal.

He said it would ensure the UK could not be "broken up" by a foreign power and the EU was acting in an "extreme way", by threatening food exports.

Labour said the PM had caused the "mess" by reneging on a deal he had previously called a "triumph".

A number of Conservative MPs have said they will not support the bill as it stands and some could register their concerns by abstaining.

The UK left the EU on 31 January, having negotiated and signed the withdrawal agreement with the bloc.

A key part of the agreement - which is now an international treaty - was the Northern Ireland Protocol, designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.

'Protective powers'

Speaking at the start of the five-hour debate, the PM said the bill should be "welcomed by everyone" who cares about the "sovereignty and integrity of the UK".