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Theresa May donned a coronavirus mask in the Commons today as she raged at MPs for not backing her “ best ” Brexit deal last year.
The former prime minister was a lone figure who covered her face when she joined the debate on Boris Johnson’s trade deal with the EU.
And he only got rid of the mask to berate Sir Keir Starmer for playing when he had a package that would have kept the UK more aligned with Brussels.
Ms May said that the deal Mr Johnson had struck gave the EU what it wanted without tariffs or levies on goods, but “sadly” lacked any provision for the UK’s critical services sector.
However, he confirmed that he will vote in favor of the deal, citing “very important” security deals.
Theresa May was a lone figure wearing a mask in the House of Commons, but she removed it to deliver her evaluation of the deal.
Ms May delivered a dismissive reprimand at Sir Keir Starmer for playing games when he had a package in place that would have kept the UK more aligned with Brussels.
When the one-day parliamentary process for Brexit legislation began this morning, Ms May was wearing a distinctive mask, in contrast to other MPs who were bare-faced, albeit socially estranged.
In his speech he said: ‘I welcome this agreement and will support it today and I welcome the fact that the official opposition supports this agreement, but I listened with some disbelief to what the leader of the Opposition said.
He said he wanted a better deal. He had the opportunity in early 2019 when there was an opportunity for a better agreement on the table and he voted against, so I will not take lessons from the Opposition leader on this agreement. ”
The prime minister said that it is fundamental to this agreement that free trade and quota agreements are, of course, subject to the requirements of the rules of origin. It would have been unforgivable if the EU had not allowed tariff and quota free access given that it adhered to that in the political declaration signed with my Government in November 2018.
“One of the reasons to support this agreement is the security measures that have been implemented, which are very important.”
May said she was’ disappointed ‘by the deal’s approach to services, telling the Commons:’ It is no longer the case that UK service providers have the automatic right of access to provide services across the EU, they will have to comply with the individual rules of a state.
“I understand that if you are a lawyer advising on UK law in the Czech Republic, you will have to be a resident, and in Austria you will not have to be a resident, just as an example of the difference between those rules.”
Ms May said the ‘key area’ is financial services and she pledged in 2018 to work towards a ‘truly groundbreaking’ deal for this sector, adding: ‘Unfortunately, it has not been achieved.
“We have a trade agreement that benefits the EU, but not a services agreement that would have benefited the UK.”
Ms. May said that the treaty is clear that future negotiation on these points is possible, adding: “I hope that the Government will go to that negotiation with speed and vigor.”
Opening the Commons debate, Johnson insisted that Britain had “regained control” by severing ties with the bloc, urging an end to the “rancor and recrimination” that have soured in the last four years since the referendum.
Sir Keir has ordered his MPs to support the plan, as it is better than No Deal, although dozens of his own side are expected to rebel.
Opening the Commons debate, Johnson insisted that Britain had ‘regained control’ by severing ties with the bloc, and urging an end to the ‘rancor and recrimination’ that have soured in the last four years since the referendum.
He said decades of tensions with the EU have now been “resolved” that Britain can be its best friend, a free trade power and a “liberal and outward-oriented force forever.” He suggested that, far from being affected by trade by leaving the single market and the customs union, it should mean “even more” business.
‘Having regained control of our money, our borders, our laws and our waters by leaving the European Union on January 31, we now seize this moment to forge a fantastic new relationship with our European neighbors based on free trade and friendly cooperation. Johnson said.
“At the heart of this bill is one of the largest free trade agreements in the world.”
The rallying cry came as the legislation implementing the landmark agreement rushes through the Commons and Lords in just one day, before the end of the transition period at 11pm tomorrow.
Passage of the deal is assured with conservative eurosceptics, who praised Johnson and said Churchill and Thatcher would be “proud,” fully on board.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir orders his MPs to support the plan as it is better than No Deal, although dozens of his own side are expected to rebel.
In a tough message in the Commons, Sir Keir said: ‘Those who vote’ ‘no’ ‘are voting for No Deal’.
