The Justice Secretary is challenged over Boris Johnson’s proposal to override elements of the Withdrawal Agreement to protect the British internal market.
‘Argument over Brexit is the last thing the country needs right now’, says Louise Haigh, the Shadow Northern Irish Secretary.
The Irish foreign minister attacks the language deployed by Downing Street as “spin, and not the truth”, speaking instead of ‘limited checks’.
“This is something that a responsible government does in order to prepare for the worst. But can I reiterate our steely determination to get a deal.”
As her Lord Chancellor, I would have resigned if she had brought forward such proposals (which she wouldn’t have done anyway).
When such Brexiteers as Michael Howard and Norman Lamont are tearing into you over international law, you have just a bit of problem.
It may be good tough talk to speak of breaking international law, but it does not engender respect. His exact words were not even factually correct.
“These clauses…have effect notwithstanding any international or domestic law with which they may be incompatible or inconsistent.”
In practice, a workable protocol requires arrangements that reflect its wider aims — including respect for the territorial integrity of the UK.
Europe is back, but Covid-19 hasn’t gone anywhere: the Prime Minister is fighting on two fronts.
Johnson and Cummings’ previous assaults on the pre-Brexit order have been brilliantly conceived. This one may not be up to the same standard.
No self-respecting democracy could accept the sort of concessions demanded by the victor after a war had been won.
Consequently, our third and most important priority is the vigorous pursuit of growth – set our country on a path of solid and sustained expansion.