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The British Government’s bill that overlaps with the part of the United Kingdom’s European Union (EU) Withdrawal Agreement was approved this Monday in Parliament, despite opposition within the Conservative Party itself.
The text was approved with 340 votes in favor and 263 against, a margin of 77 votes, and several amendments were also rejected. Now it goes to debate in the specialty and will have to be approved by the House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament, before being promulgated.
The Internal Market Bill sets rules for trade within the UK after the end of the transition period in 2021, when access to the single market and the EU customs union ends.
The British Government wants to ensure that there are no disruptions or disturbances in trade between the four countries that make up the United Kingdom, if an agreement is not reached with the European Union. The British government described this proposal as a “vital legal support network”, solve legal problems and avoid new barriers to trade between different parts of the UK.
The EU Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol were drawn up with the aim of protecting the peace process in that territory. According to this document, Northern Ireland will continue to follow some European rules to avoid the existence of a physical border with Ireland, which is still part of the EU.
However, it is also recognized that it violates international law, which generated protests within the Conservative Party, which were still insufficient for a revolt that defeated the Government. The move has been criticized by politicians from all walks of life, notably four former prime ministers, conservatives John Major, Theresa May and David Cameron, and Labor Tony Blair.
Brussels expressed discontent and threatened retaliation in court, as well as referring to the risk of ongoing negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and the EU. The ninth test will take place this week, in an atmosphere of tension and with several differences regarding issues of competence and access of European vessels to British fishing waters.
