“If the Government takes the view that laws can be broken, the rule of law collapses. It breaches the trust of its citizens.”
Of the party’s eight Members of Parliament, four struck a sceptical or hostile note whilst the others took a more reserved or conciliatory view.
It’s possible that he has pulled off a political coup, begun radically to re-set the UK’s relationship with the EU – and created the circumstances in which voters may give him a second look.
Let us seize the opportunity of this moment…The certainty of an agreement that fixes the problems we face…Commands broad support and consensus…And offers us, at last, the freedom to move forward, together.
The Prime Minister sets out the terms of the revised Northern Ireland Protocol in the Commons.
He says that the new framework will enhance the smooth flow of trade within the UK, protect Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and safeguard sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland.
“This agreement restores the balance of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement by fundamentally recasting arrangements in three key areas.”
“Taken together, these solutions constitute a set of meaningful changes to the Protocol and its operation which will provide lasting certainty and stability.”
“The framework is an international arrangement between the UK and the EU under which the parties commit to binding international law obligations, including changes to the Protocol itself.”
“We are allies, trading partners and friends…something that we’ve seen clearly as we joined with others to support Ukraine. This is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.”
Our question is a finger-to-the-wind test not only of what the panel thinks of the Prime Minister’s handling of the Protocol so far, but of his standing generally – and it’s not good news for him.
Sam Coates of Sky News reveals that he was due to meet Ursula Von Der Leyen as part of a push to approve a deal.
If Sunak reaches a deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol, he will need it endorsed by DUP politicians with whom he has almost nothing in common.
No member of the ERG rose to do the Leader of the Opposition’s dirty work for him by plunging a dagger between the PM’s shoulder blades.
By overselling what it has achieved, the Government risks setting unrealistic expectations and limiting its future room for manoeuvre.