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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s controversial Brexit legislation, which allows the UK to violate international law, has passed the House of Commons.
MEPs voted 340 to 256, majority 84, in favor of the UK internal market bill at third reading, despite warnings that the “offending” legislation threatens the union and the country’s global reputation.
The ministers have defended the powers contained in the legislation, which gives them the opportunity to annul the Brexit divorce agreement.
They argue that such powers are necessary to protect the relationship between Britain and Northern Ireland, amid concerns in Westminster that Brussels could seek to disrupt food products traveling from Britain to Northern Ireland as part of trade talks.
The government was forced to compromise earlier in passing the bill in the face of a conservative rebellion, which resulted in changes to give parliamentarians a vote before ministers can use powers that would violate the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with Brussels. last year.
Opposition MPs have warned that it will give the UK government a chance to deviate to matters being delegated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, calling them an “attack” on refoulement.
Speaking at the third reading, Business Secretary Alok Sharma told MPs: “Our approach will give companies the regulatory clarity and certainty they want.
“It will ensure that the cost of doing business in the UK is kept as low as possible, and it will do so without damaging and costly regulatory barriers arising between different parts of the UK.”
Sharma accused SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford of wanting to be “chained to the European Union forever”, to which Blackford replied: “You are talking nonsense.”
Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said Labor supported the internal market principle but opposed the bill “which violates the law.”
He said: “In international law, no one should have any doubt about the damage that this bill has already done.
“This bill that violates the law has been noticed around the world.”
Miliband highlighted the reservations of US President Donald Trump’s envoy to Northern Ireland, Mick Mulvaney, adding: “When the Trump administration begins to express concern about its adherence to international agreements and the rule of law, it knows it is in trouble.” .
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