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Tony Blair and Sir John Major join critics opposing the government’s proposed Internal Market Bill
Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have urged Parliament that Boris Johnson’s attempt to override parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement is “shameful”.
The PM said the European Union was threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
Mr Blair and Mr John have accused the government of being “shameful” towards the UK.
The internal market bill will be debated in the Consulate on Monday.
The bill would go against the withdrawal agreement signed by the UK and the EU.
It addresses the protocol of the Northern Ireland Prot –nd – part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement designed to prevent a rigid border back to the island of Ireland.
If the bill becomes law, it would give UK ministers the power to amend or “disappear” rules relating to the movement of goods between Britain and Northern Ireland, effective January 1, if the UK and EU fail to reach a trade deal. .
Writing in The Sunday Times, Sir John and Mr Blair, former Conservative and Labor prime ministers, respectively, said the government’s actions were “irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice”.
“It raises questions that go far beyond negotiating for an impact on Ireland, the peace process and trade deals. It is crucial, though crucial. It raises questions about the integrity of our nation.”
Former leaders said respecting the treaty’s duties was “just as important” as local law, and lawmakers called for the law to be rejected.
“As we look at the world’s aggression against the UK – whose word was once accepted as invincible – this action by the government is itself a shame and a shame to our nation,” he added.
Analysis
By Lila Nathu, Political Correspondent
Tony Blair and Sir John Major say Boris Johnson struck with Brussels last year knowing the full consequences of the Brexit divorce deal – that new barriers to trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would occur.
He says the government’s plan to override some parts of the deal now would exclude the Good Friday agreement, undermine the UK’s credibility in future trade deals and seek damages from the EU.
They accuse the ministers of embarrassing the UK by negotiating what they call “serious diplomacy equestrian bombing” – an approach they say calls into question the nation’s integrity.
However, his intervention is unlikely to influence Mr. Johnson, who insisted the internal market bill was a necessary safety net to secure the union and the peace process – and denied the EU’s demand to withdraw the controversial clauses before the end of the month.
The prime minister appealed to legislators to support the law – his predecessor said it was up to parliament to stop advancing his plan.
The Prime Minister, in response to concerns over his proposals, on Friday urged MPs to return the bill during a zoom call.
The EU has warned the UK that it could face legal action if it does not eat the controversial elements of the domestic market bill by the end of the month.
Ministers have tried to defend the government’s plans, with Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove saying the proposals are a tool to protect the UK’s “integrity”.
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And Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis acknowledged that the bill would violate international law, but “in a very specific and limited way.”
Meanwhile, Sir Kerr Starmer has accused the prime minister of “ruling the old rows” by working to override his own withdrawal agreement.
Writing in Sunday’s Telegraph, the labor leader said his party could support the domestic market bill if the government pays attention to “international market concerns.”
But to win Labor’s support, the bill would no longer have to violate international law and would need to address the concerns of the developed administration’s “power grab”.
“We must continue to defeat this virus, not fight about Europe,” said Sir Carey. “Go beyond Brexit and defeat the virus. That should be the government’s mantra.”
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