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The two former prime ministers accused Johnson of endangering the Irish peace process, trade negotiations and Britain’s integrity with his UK internal trade bill, which nullifies some key aspects of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, including the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Irresponsible, wrong in principle and dangerous in practice
Writing in The Sunday Times, they said: “It puts the Good Friday Agreement at risk, because it denies the predictability, political stability and legal clarity that are integral to the delicate balance between the north and south of Ireland that is the core of the peace process.
“This has far-reaching ramifications. It will not only make negotiations with the EU difficult, but also any trade negotiations with other nations, including the United States.”
“Once trust is undermined, distrust prevails.”
Tony Blair and John Major have teamed up to convict Boris Johnson (Image: PA)
They continued: “We both opposed Brexit. We both accept that it is happening now. But this way of negotiating, with reason pushed aside in pursuit of ideology and arrogant bombast that masquerades as serious diplomacy, is irresponsible, wrong. in principle and dangerous in practice. “
“It raises questions that go far beyond the impact on Ireland, the peace process and the negotiations for a trade agreement, although they are crucial. It questions the very integrity of our nation.”
Former leaders weighed in on the argument when senior conservatives refused to back down from their rebellion against Johnson’s controversial Brexit legislation despite his warning that Brussels could “divide our country” without it.
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Former prime ministers have called Johnson’s actions ‘irresponsible and dangerous’ (Image: PA)
The prime minister’s attempt to win support for the bill was joined by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, warning that it is necessary to protect the “integrity” of the UK.
They insist that legislation that could violate international law and has led the EU to threaten legal action during trade negotiations is necessary to avoid a trade border in the Irish Sea.
But a growing number of conservative rebels suggested that opposition to the UK’s domestic market bill had hardened after Johnson held a conference call with MPs.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said Saturday that “without change I cannot support this bill.”
Boris Johnson insists his UK internal market bill is in Britain’s national interest (Image: PA)
Ellwood, who chairs the Commons defense committee, said: “This bill is already hurting the UK brand, lowering our role as a role model as a champion of global standards.
“As we go through the cable, let’s see more British statecraft, less Nixonian madman theory.”
Commons justice committee chair Sir Bob Neill, who has tabled an amendment that he said would impose a “parliamentary lockdown” on any changes to the withdrawal agreement, said he still maintains it contains “objectionable” elements.
He said: “He made his case, but I think nothing has changed. I am sure our amendment is still getting support.”
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It was also understood that Damian Green, who was Theresa May’s deputy when she was prime minister and is backing the amendment, was not swayed by Johnson’s argument.
Sir Roger Gale also remained a vehement critic, telling Times Radio: “If anyone is responsible, if it happens, for bringing down the union, it will be Cummings and Johnson.”
The prime minister spoke to some 250 MPs last night to try to secure support for the bill and warned them against returning to the “miserable days of bickering last fall” over Brexit.
Boris Johnson is being pressured by politicians from all sides (Image: PA)
And, in an inflammatory article for The Telegraph, Johnson said Brussels was threatening to use an “extreme interpretation” of the Northern Ireland Protocol to impose “a large-scale trade border in the Irish Sea” that could stop the transport of food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Both Ireland and the EU have warned that Johnson’s plans pose a serious risk to the peace process rather than protect the Good Friday Agreement.
But he argued that it is “crucial for peace and for the Union itself” and said rejecting the bill would reduce the chances of a trade deal with the EU, which is at stake.
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