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Former British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will not support the controversial Brexit legislation, warning that it will cause “incalculable damage” to the UK.
The conservative member accused the government of acting “recklessly and irresponsibly” without thinking about the long-term consequences for its willingness to violate international law.
He noted his serious reservations about the sections of the UK Internal Market Act linked to the Northern Ireland Protocol, which seek to void the Brexit divorce deal.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has argued that the changes are necessary to protect the relationship between Britain and Northern Ireland.
The bill also sets out how trade within the UK will work once outside the single market and the EU customs union, amid concerns in Westminster that Brussels could try to disrupt food products traveling from the UK. Joined to Northern Ireland as part of trade negotiations.
But Ms May issued a harsh rebuke for Johnson’s actions, and questioned whether the government understood what it was signing when it consented to the Withdrawal Agreement.
He added that an arbitration process would be available, meaning that controversial government additions “have no place in this bill.”
Ms May told the Commons: “I cannot stress how concerned I am that a conservative government is willing to break its word, break an international agreement signed in good faith, and violate international law.”
Read more: EU is not impressed by UK parliamentary blockade – Coveney
When conservative Bill Cash tried to intervene, Ms May joked: “I wish I had £ 10 for every time I gave way to you in a debate or statement in recent years.”
Cash, chairman of the European Control Committee, argued that the EU and other states have “persistently violated international law”, including the UK.
Ms. May replied, “He seems to be saying that if someone does something wrong, is it okay for us to do something wrong? Sorry, I disagree with him on that point.”
Ms May continued: “Frankly, my opinion is that to the outside world there is no difference as to whether the decision to violate international law is made by a minister or this parliament – it is still a decision that violates international law.
“This can only weaken the UK in the eyes of the world.
“One of the great strengths we have as a country is our commitment to the rule of law and this will have been damaged.
“Our reputation as a country that keeps its word will have been tarnished.
And the willingness of other countries to trust the UK and its values will have been reduced.
“Too much for the global UK”.
Ms May highlighted UK-led international efforts to expel Russian agents after the Salisbury Novichok attack, adding: “We were able to do it because those countries had confidence in the UK.
“Where will that confidence be in the future if they see a UK willing to break their word and violate international law?
“If we pass this bill with clauses 41-45, and by doing so we accede to the government’s desire to violate international law, I think it will have a detrimental effect on people’s confidence in the UK.”
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