PM Johnson defends Internal Market Bill in Parliament
Addressing the House of Commons today (September 14), Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has put up a spirited defense of his controversial Internal Market Bill (IMB).
In his opening remarks the PM said the UK “must reserve the right” to override the 2019 Brexit withdrawal agreement by way of protecting the country’s “economic and political integrity”.
In justifying the IMB, Johnson said legislation was required to resolve “tensions” in the 2019 Brexit treaty and ensure the UK could not be “broken up” by a foreign power.
In remarks that are almost certain to elicit a ferocious reaction, the PM claimed the EU was no longer negotiating in “good faith” by threatening to block food exports.
The IMB is expected to pass its first parliamentary hurdle later when MPs vote on it at second reading later tonight (September 14).
The proposed legislation has elicited sharp opposition from nearly all quarters, including the EU, the Irish government and most striking of all from five former British Prime Ministers.
The government itself conceded that the bill reneges on key aspects of the Brexit treaty related to Northern Ireland and that it breaks international law in a “specific and limited way”.
The bill is encountering opposition from a small but influential group of Tory MPs.
The latest MP to express opposition is former Home Secretary and Chancellor, Sajid Javid.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) September 14, 2020 ">http://
It is not clear to me why it is necessary for the UK to break international law. I am regretfully unable to support the UK Internal Market Bill unamended. pic.twitter.com/ID0CeyXCeJ
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) September 14, 2020
There are widespread fears that once the bill becomes legislation it will deal a mortal blow to ongoing but fragile trade talks with the EU.
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