Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EX-PM’S Protocol changes warning
May says Bill harms Britain
THERESA May warned moves to unilaterally scrap parts of the Brexit deal are “not legal” and will “diminish” the UK’S global standing.
The former Tory prime minister delivered a withering assessment of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which passed by 74 votes, as she made clear she would not support it.
Mrs May questioned the argument that a legal principle of necessity allows for the Government’s plans, insisting there is “nothing urgent” about the legislation.
She told MPS: “The UK’S standing in the world, our ability to convene and encourage others in the defence of our shared values, depends on the respect others have for us as a country, a country that keeps its word and displays those shared values in its actions.
“As a patriot, I would not want to do anything that would diminish this country in the eyes of the world.
“I have to say to the Government, this Bill is not, in my view, legal in international law, it will not achieve its aims, and it will diminish the standing of the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world, and I cannot support it.”
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss had earlier attempted to downplay concerns of MPS by arguing the Bill has a “strong legal justification” and the UK remains committed to a negotiated solution.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson told the chamber: “The Bill seeks to finally and fundamentally reset and restore Northern Ireland’s relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom, given the devastating impact of the Protocol on the economic, constitutional, social and political life of Northern Ireland over the last 18 months.”
The MP for Lagan Valley highlighted limits on goods reaching Northern Ireland and criticised a situation which has left MLAS presiding over regulations “over which they have no say”.
He went on: “No democratic input into how those regulations are put in place and they regulate how we trade with the rest of our own country.
“How can anyone in this House defend a situation where part of this UK is treated in a way where its elected representatives have no say in many of the laws that regulate our trade with the rest of the UK?
“I am not suggesting the Bill is perfect.
“It is rare legislation that passes this House is perfect in every sense and doesn’t require amendment.
“The benefit of this Bill is it empowers ministers to make change to ensure the proper functioning of the UK internal market.”
SDLP MP Claire Hanna called for a “negotiated solution” with the EU as she told MPS “we have solved bigger problems before”.
The South Belfast MP said: “Nobody loves the Protocol but the better options were voted down. Like everything that’s worth doing, that will be achieved through partnership and compromises, and not unmeetable red lines that would remove
I would not do anything that would diminish the UK in the world THERESA MAY HOUSE OF COMMONS LAST NIGHT
Northern Ireland from the single market, which has
no support.
“But instead of levelling with the people, this Government, to whom the DUP have shackled themselves, are choosing to distort and deflect.
“I don’t believe, having spent the last six years having the same argument, I don’t believe the party opposite have it in them to put the people and the economy of the people of Northern Ireland first.
“But I would implore some of my colleagues on these benches to please unshackle yourselves, work with us, work with your neighbours, and your colleagues, and your friends to arrive at the solutions, the negotiated solutions that we all know are possible.”