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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended his controversial single market law before the House of Commons. No situation should arise “where our country’s borders are dictated by a foreign power or an international organization,” Johnson said of the special rules previously planned for Northern Ireland, which are part of the Brexit deal. According to Johnson, the European Union wants to cross Britain’s customs borders. “We have to protect the territorial integrity of the country,” Johnson continued.
Johnson also accuses the EU of blackmail. The EU did not remove the “revolver” from the table during the negotiations and threatens London with blocking exports to Northern Ireland.
Johnson wants to use the so-called Internal Market Law to partially nullify the current EU exit agreement. These are long-controversial special rules for British Northern Ireland, which should avoid a hard border with the EU state, Ireland, and further hostilities there. Proponents of Brexit criticize this as Northern Ireland could dissociate itself from the rest of the UK.
Several former prime ministers, including conservatives like John Major, Theresa May and David Cameron, had clearly distanced themselves from Johnson’s plans. Former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox also accused Johnson of damaging Britain’s reputation. The planned introduction of the law was unreasonable, said the conservative deputy from the “Times”, and announced that he would not support it. According to Cox, there is “no question” that the “unpleasant” consequences of the Brexit deal were already known when Johnson signed it.
Is there a threat that the negotiations will fail?
For the European Union, Johnson’s plan is a violation of the law. Brussels therefore asked London to surrender at the end of September. Critics fear that the proposed law could be the death sentence for the business contract that will regulate future economic relationships. Once the transition phase of Brexit is over, there is a risk of a break with tariffs and high no-contract trade barriers.
House of Commons votes in favor of Johnson’s bill at first reading
Johnson already got a majority on the first reading. 340 MPs voted for the bill on Monday night, compared with 263. Next week, the decisive vote will take place in the lower house. After that, the law would have to be passed by the House of Lords.
