Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Devil is in the detail... Bojo has caved in
Boris reveals deal to leave EU with 3hrs to go But critics slam compromises as worse than May’s Pmsacrifices workers’ rights & his DUP allies
Number 10 yesterday, in a sign of increasingly frosty relations.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starer then issued a stark warning on the political declaration for our future relationship with the EU. He said: “It paves the way for a decade of deregulation. It gives Johnson licence to slash workers’ rights, environmental standards and consumer protections.”
And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed to try to block the “sell-out” deal tomorrow, warning it “won’t bring the country together”. He said: “It seems the PM has negotiated an even worse deal than Theresa May’s, which was overwhelmingly rejected.
“These proposals risk triggering a race to the bottom on rights and protections – putting food safety at risk, cutting environmental standards and workers’ rights, opening up our NHS to takeover by US corporations.”
Rights in EU law that may be under threat include working hours being limited to an average 48 per week over a fortnight, a minimum rest time between shifts of 11 hours and at least four weeks’ paid annual leave.
Also at risk are at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave.
The Government insisted it was committed to upholding standards and an official said changes “don’t mark a step up or step down, rather they represent a step to the side”.
He claimed they are based on a typical EU free trade deal, such as those with Canada or Japan. But TUC chief Frances O’grady said: “This deal would be a disaster. It would hammer the economy, cost jobs and sell workers’ rights down the river.”
Meanwhile, campaigners chasing a second referendum have shelved plans to try to insist on a people’s vote on the deal. Insiders said it was unlikely an amendment to the pact would be tabled tomorrow. BORIS Johnson boasted he had secured a “great deal” but a string of concessions reveal the Government has caved to EU demands in key areas.
The biggest changes come in Northern Ireland, as while the backstop was abolished, a regulatory border in the Irish Sea was accepted.
It will stay in the UK customs territory, meaning after a new trade deal, goods can be imported just as they are into the rest of the UK.
But EU customs rules will apply to goods entering NI that are deemed “at-risk” of moving into the EU.
In a real climbdown, Mr Johnson agreed Northern Ireland will remain aligned to EU single market rules – notably on agricultural policy and VAT – to avoid checks on goods crossing the border.
And there will be”checks and controls” on the relevant goods when they pass between NI and Britain.
The arrangements will come into effect at the start of 2021 and, after an initial four-year period, MLAS will vote on whether to continue to apply them.
That vote will be conducted on a simple majority and will not require the support of a majority of unionists and nationalists under the “petition of concern”. It means no veto for the DUP.
MAJORITY
If the arrangements are passed by most nationalists and unionists, they would remain in place for eight years.
The previously agreed settlement on citizens’ rights after Brexit and Britain’s divorce bill stay as they were.
That also goes for a transition period until the end of 2020, which can be extended by one or two years.
But on the key area of workers’ rights, the deal was described as “a leap backwards” by Unison – after it failed to match Mrs May’s “regression lock” promise that rights in the UK would not fall behind those in the EU. Both sides have pledged they are aiming for an “ambitious free-trade agreement” that will uphold “high standards” on the environment, and other rules to stop either side taking part in a race to the bottom – a major concession from Mr Johnson.
Britain will pay to keep its place in some key EU programmes, such as the Erasmus student exchange.
But fisherman will find the declaration light on detail promising just “new agreement on access to waters and quota shares”.
On financial rules, there will be an attempt to recognise regulations as “equivalent” but expect fierce negotiations as Germany and France see profits to be made in companies relocating after Brexit.