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Boris Johnson is facing a possible parliamentary rebellion after enraging both conservatives and Brexiters by vowing to go ahead with plans to overturn key elements of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
Despite the EU demand to withdraw the proposed legislation, and a threat of legal action from Brussels if the UK doesn’t back down, the Prime Minister is moving forward with the movement to alter key elements of the UK Withdrawal Agreement.
Johnson himself reached the deal last year before formally signing it in January. But now it seeks, through the UK Internal Market Act, to empower ministers to put it aside.
The government, which has admitted that the bill would violate international law if passed, has argued that the legislation is “critical” in ensuring unlimited access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK and in protecting the Agreement from Holy Friday.
But, in addition to the fury of European capitals, Johnson has also enraged those in his own party before the bill is voted on in the House of Commons.
Disgruntled conservative MPs have tabled an amendment to the legislation that would try to prevent the government from repealing the Withdrawal Agreement without the support of parliament.
Sir Bob Neill, who has introduced the amendment with the backing of his fellow former ministers Tory Damian Green and Oliver Heald, told Times Radio: “I hope this is at least an indication as a government that it actually takes a lot of thinking and carefully going this route.
“For the love of God, try to find another way.”
Sir Bob played down the possibility that the Tory rebels, who reportedly number as many as 30, lose the Tory whip by voting against the government’s proposed legislation.
But he said he would be ready to be expelled from the Conservative parliamentary party if necessary.
Sir Roger Gale also indicated that he is willing to lose the conservative whip to vote against the bill.
“I will do what I have to do on the basis of principle,” he told Sky News.
“And the principle is that this UK keeps its word internationally.”
Last year, Johnson expelled 21 Conservative MPs from the parliamentary party for voting against his Brexit plans.
But it was not only among conservatives who campaigned to stay in the EU that concerns were raised about the internal market bill.
Sir Bernard Jenkin, leader of the European Research Group of Conservative Eurosceptics, told LBC Radio: “The prime minister should be more aware of the reputational damage of playing so hard when in reality there is no consensus in the country to break international agreements. . “
Johnson, who enjoys an 80-member majority in the House of Commons, could also face opposition from Conservatives to his plans in the House of Lords after two high-ranking Conservative peers voiced their disgust at the actions of the House of Commons. Prime Minister.
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Lord Howard of Lympne became the third former Conservative leader, after Sir John Major and Theresa May, to criticize the government’s plans.
The Brexit-supporting pair accused the government of damaging the UK’s “reputation for probity and respect for the rule of law.”
He told the House of Lords: “How can we blame Russia, China or Iran when their conduct falls below internationally accepted standards, when we are showing so little regard for our treaty obligations?”
His fellow Brexiteer Lord Lamont, a former chancellor, has warned that the legislation will not pass through the House of Lords unless there are changes.
“The government is in a terrible mess and in a hole and I don’t think it’s easy to justify,” he told BBC Radio 4’s PM program.
“In a way, this could lead us back to where we started with a terrible dilemma.”
