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LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson appealed to lawmakers in his Conservative Party on Friday to back a trade bill that his government admitted would violate international law and said it was necessary to protect Britain.
Johnson’s decision to proceed with his domestic markets bill has plunged trade talks with the EU into crisis and raised concern among some conservatives, who fear Britain’s reputation will be damaged if it is seen as breaking the Brexit divorce treaty signed in January.
In a video conference with his lawmakers, Johnson explained the reason for the bill that he said would protect Britain’s economic and political integrity, according to two of those on the call.
Johnson called on lawmakers to back him, saying “Let’s not go back to those miserable fighting days last fall,” a reference to last year’s bitter divisions over the Brexit divorce deal, in which some Conservatives left the party and others expelled for their opposition.
One of the lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Johnson’s message had been well received.
Earlier, Johnson’s spokesman said the prime minister would reiterate Britain’s commitment to implement the Northern Ireland protocol of the divorce settlement, but would also explain the internal markets bill to protect the British province.
“It will also establish that as a responsible government we must provide a safety net that removes any ambiguity and ensures that the government can always deliver on its commitments to the people of Northern Ireland,” the spokesman said.
Some high-ranking conservatives, including former Prime Ministers Theresa May and John Major, along with figures who have been strong supporters of Brexit, have denounced the plan to nullify part of the divorce deal, saying it could damage Britain’s international position.
(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper and William James, written by Michael Holden; edited by Stephen Addison)
