The UK’s international reputation as a trade partner needs this UK Single market Bill.

As so often the EU establishment puts round the wrong message. They say the UK’s reputation will be damaged by legislating to make sure we control our own single market and customs union. The opposite is the case.

The rest of the world would think it bizarre if the U.K meekly accepted continuing EU controls over our laws, trade rules and borders from 1 January. Those countries negotiating trade deals with us want to ensure the U.K is fully in charge of its own markets and laws, so they can sign an Agreement with an independent country with the full range of trade powers. They do not want a U.K. under the control of the EU, or with a split domestic market with issues into and out of Northern Ireland.

Those who worry about international law or Treaty obligations should explain why the EU does not always accept WTO judgements and rulings when as a signatory to that Treaty it should. Why doesn’t the EU allow member states and member states companies have direct redress at the WTO for EU non compliance?

In the case of the UK why do we not hear more about our non compliance with International human rights over prisoner votes? Why do the worried establishment accept Labour’s limited implementation of the Hunan Rights Treaty, reserving to Parliament the right to override when needed?

The government rightly reminds us U.K law will take precedence when we legislate. They are not yet explaining that the EU is not observing the parts of the Agreement they do not like, presumably because the U.K. hopes they will improve and show a new spirit looking for an Agreement.I fear the EU has dug in and expects the U.K. to crumble. That will reinforce our case that they have not negotiated in good faith and have not observed the WA’s insistence that the U.K. will be sovereign with its own single market, customs union and independent trade policy.

356 Comments

  1. Pominoz
    September 14, 2020

    Sir John,

    You are absolutely correct. The UK should stand up for itself and it is vital that the UK Single Market Bill is passed.

    How utterly disgusting it was to hear predictable voices continuing to work against a true Brexit which will fully restore sovereignty, not least those words of Treason May, which simply seemed to say ” My mate Olly and I had entirely stitched up the UK – How dare you, Boris, try to unpick thing?”

    I do feel, despite all the Remainers’ attempts, that we shall, come 1st January 2021, actually get what was voted for.

    Thanks for all your efforts to achieve delivery.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 14, 2020

      +1 but it is stil not guaranteed will wil get what we voted for on 1st Jan.

      1. Lifelogic
        September 14, 2020

        So now Cameron has joined May. Major, Brown and Blair in criticism of this proposed new law. It surely must therefore be the right thing to do given these dire remainers’ appalling record of deception, incompetence and dishonest.

        This the Cameron who thought is was fine to go back on promises his cast iron referendum promise, his “I am a low tax Conservative at heart” one and the one where he promised to deliver the section 50 notice the day after the referendum and to stay on and deliver a real Brexit. Lying to voters to get elected is fine it seem for Cameron but not legally changing the UK laws in parliament to protect UK interests.

        1. Hope
          September 14, 2020

          JR, will MPs and Lords loose the whip if they vote against govt.?

          Tim Bradshaw writes a good article today about the traitors in Con Woman today. Together with how the EU amended the Lisbon Treaty at the behest of Germany/France. He also highlights the plight of Greece and Italy as examples of how rotten the EU is.

          Bradshaw highlights Hammond helping EU lawyers prevent no deal. Johnson needs to make U turn with his extra pension and title to Hammond, rescind Major’s knighthood and make legislation to investigate and prosecute Blaire.

          Time for Johnson to face down these traitors with utter ruthlessness.

          1. Hope
            September 14, 2020

            The traitors did everything they could to prevent the U.K. Eating with no deal. They wanted any means to tie the U.K. to the EU to fight another day. TO use colony status as an example why the U.K. must ask to re enter.

            No deal was always the best way to leave. Any deals to be negotiated after. No deal whatsoever including security, intelligence, military goods services nothing. Absolutely nothing. Did none of you watch what the EU did to Italy or Greece. Or if a vote went agai st what they wanted. The vote went against them, this is their resistance with help from traitors in this country. The EU overthrew the govt in Italy and Germany made vast profits from impoverishing the Greeks and destitution Greeks to help their banks! Do you think the EU would not try this with the U.K.? The EU has already caused two Fake Tory PMs to be dismissed!

            EU is not friends or partners. Trade with them at arms length at best. Cleanse the U.K. of political traitors.

        2. M Brandreth- Jones
          September 14, 2020

          I don’t read a lot about up to date politics. I haven’t the time. I am busy doing politics real, but I do read the occasional piece by T Blair. As a position changes and a different step is taken then all must see the problem as it stands , not how it should have been if ‘ I ‘ had got my own way.

          So from the new premise we have a different springboard to rise from and all should see the possible future.

        3. rose
          September 15, 2020

          Mr Cameron was misreported. If you listened to what he said, rather than what the lying media said, you would have heard his support for the Government’s bill. It was carefully thought out, albeit on the doorstep, and made the same case the Government is making: this is a last resort; it may or may not be used, in situations which may or may not occur; we are in the middle of negotiations and our hand must not be weakened by anything people here say or do.

    2. Martin in Cardiff
      September 14, 2020

      Oh, the Leave voters will get it all right, and boy, won’t they deserve it!

      However, so will many of the rest of the people, far greater than their number.

      1. Dennis Zoff
        September 14, 2020

        Martin in Cardiff

        ….continuing nonsense from Cardiff, and rather boorish to-boot!

        1. Hope
          September 14, 2020

          Those Fake Tory MPs voting against govt tonight need to think carefully.

          I am convinced the public is sick of them. They will only serve to destroy the Fake Tory Party. Farage is watching along with the rest of us.

          Johnson being shouted at by ‘Red’ Ed Miliband! Johnson helped him get elected in December! You could not make it up.

          Johnson Rewarding traitor Tories who now Act against him! Unbelievable.

      2. Anonymous
        September 14, 2020

        Had Remain won the referendum.

        Would things have continued the same or would we have ditched the pound (with loss of control of interest rates) and gone for full integration by now ?

        I fear that the referendum was not about Leave or Remain but about a smarmy way of seeking a mandate to ignore all levels of scepticism.

    3. bill brown
      September 14, 2020

      Pominoz,

      you do not promote Britain nor Brexit by breaking internationl law and agreements.
      You are talking nonsense.

      1. BW
        September 14, 2020

        Who said we are breaking international law. Would it be all those bitter remainers hell bent on revenge. If Sir John says we are not then that is good enough for me

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          BW,

          YOu are obviouls y a very modest and rightfull man, but please do not beleive everything that is presented. Sir JR is not an international law lawyer

          1. Dennis
            September 14, 2020

            JR – you wrote -‘the EU does not always accept WTO judgements and rulings when as a signatory to that Treaty it should’

            It’s no good writing bald statements you must give proper examples.

          2. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            Lord (Martin) Howe is! The NI Secretary is not even a lawyer.

      2. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        Nobody is breaking international law, although the EU is trying to: it’s illegal to force a country to surrender part of its land by Treaty. But that does not suit you Remainers who side with Germany against your own country.
        What a disgrace. Joyce did the same and paid an appropriate price.

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Lynn Atkinson.

          This has nothing to do with germany it ahs something to do with respecting international signed agreements, wiht no ifs or buts.

          You do write a lot of nonsense (for or against Germany”)

          1. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            This is German Europe. Are you unaware of that? The Greeks are not!

          2. rose
            September 14, 2020

            Herr Selmayr said Northern Ireland must be the price for Brexit. Both his grandfathers were defeated by us as officers in the war. Of course these things are relevant.

        2. Wrinkle
          September 14, 2020

          Lynn – Joyce was speaking to Britain not the USA and he was murdered by the British court as he could not be tried for treason as he was an American. Yes he paid a price, an illegal one.

          1. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            Joyce was British, it is a new idea that you hold the citizenship of the place where you were born. The idiocy makes Kipling Indian! So it is irrelevant that he was born in America. He was executed for Treason because he was British! Deservedly!

      3. Reaction Harry
        September 14, 2020

        Before claiming that others are talking nonsense, you should stop and take account of what counter arguments exist, and more importantly that the passing of the bill itself does not break any law but rather it puts in place the legal machinery by which the govt could take action which may arguably be ultimately determined in court to be illegal.

        So before accusing others of talking nonsense, think about your own position. If you think I’m wrong then please explain why but don’t just make a dismissive insult!

      4. Scott
        September 14, 2020

        what should have happened really is that the UK Government should have shared the reasons why they feel the WA have been broken by the EU, and then say in response we will legislate to protect UK Sovereignty.

        1. Lynn Atkinson
          September 15, 2020

          They did.

    4. glen cullen
      September 14, 2020

      Concur with your comments +1

    5. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      Totally agree Pominoz.

    6. Peter Parsons
      September 14, 2020

      Johnson isn’t trying to unpick May’s deal, he’s trying to unpick specific changes to May’s deal he agreed to and signed off on.

      Whatever criticisms you have of May, she was fully aware of the consequences of the approach Johnson signed up to, which was why she refused to take it.

      Either Johnson didn’t understand what he had agreed to, or he did and thought he could bluster his way out of it, as seems to be his style. He got schooled by Ed Milliband today. I’m not sure that is much of a recommendation for him.

    7. Pominoz
      September 14, 2020

      Internal Market Bill success!!

      Great! Well done to Boris and Dominic and the team. Let life, as it should be, start to get underway without further treacherous interventions.

    8. rose
      September 15, 2020

      These soggy southerners, as my grandmother used to call them, should take a lesson from the moral certainty of Ashfield.

      How do these EU stooges think they are able to climb up on to their high moral horses in the first place? To make unconvincing sallies on the theme of British moral superiority? It is because for centuries theirs was a strong and independent country. No thanks to them. They have done their damnedest to abolish it as a country and destroy its distinctive features. Now they are attempting the final coup.

  2. Mick
    September 14, 2020

    We have left the infested Eu and are now a independent sovereign country so up yours Eu, the people we elect every 4-5 years will now do what we want or will get kicked out of office at the first opportunity which we the people of this great country were unable to do with the Eu, so our MPs will make and adjust old and new laws for our country so if the likes of major Blair and all the other Independence deniers don’t like it then pack your bags and go live in your beloved Europe bye bye you’ll not be missed

    1. Andy
      September 14, 2020

      They can’t go and live in Europe. The Conservatives took that right away from us all. One of many rights they have stolen.

      And the majority here did not, do not and will not vote for them. We just have their Tory laws imposed on us.

      1. Ian Wragg
        September 14, 2020

        Grow up Andy. I had property in Europe way before the EU.
        I bet you haven’t been out of the garden since March.

        1. M Davis
          September 14, 2020

          +1

      2. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        Anyone can go and live in Europe if they have skills to offer Andy. What do you think about removing citizenship unilaterally without even having a Referendum? That’s what happened to all of us when our British citizenship was removed!

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Lynn Atkinson

          SO does this also apply to teh citizens in the rest of the EU, they had their citizenship removed?

          1. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            Yes!

        2. bill brown
          September 15, 2020

          Lynn Atkinson

          It is just as well that the rest of the even more democratic countries in EUrope (EIU Soource) do not feel as you do , then

      3. BeebTax
        September 14, 2020

        You can’t blame the Conservatives for us leaving Europe; that decision was taken by a majority of the British electorate.

        1. Andy
          September 14, 2020

          The decision was taken by a minority of the electorate.

          The electorate is 45m. 17.4m voted to leave.

          1. Edward2
            September 14, 2020

            Therefore even less voted to remain.
            Those of the total electorate who didn’t bother to vote cannot be counted in your total.

          2. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            Only 16 million objected, the rest either were content to Leave or positively determined to Leave.

          3. Dennis Zoff
            September 14, 2020

            Remind me again Andy, what was the 2016 result?

            17.4 Million voted to leave, which won the Referendum….and the IMB vote tonight again went against Remoaners….in their last-ditch-effort to circumvent democracy.

            Congratulations John, on the positive outcome

      4. Narrow Shoulders
        September 14, 2020

        Of course they can live in Europe if they have skills that Europe wants or can independently support themselves. It was ever thus.

        What they will not be able to do is just pitch up with their hands out.

        I have lived in two countries outside Europe by applying for a Visa. It is relatively simply if you qualify.

      5. Bryan Harris
        September 14, 2020

        What nonsense – you can live just about where you want – no ‘freedom’s’ have been taken away — just get the appropriate paperwork done…

        …ahh but there again the benefits are still better in the UK

        1. Narrow Shoulders
          September 14, 2020

          I don’t think they are better per se, it is just that we fall over ourselves to hand them out.

          1. Qubus
            September 14, 2020

            Yes. Why aren’t they in tents here?

        2. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Bryan Harris

          which benefits are we talking about?

          1. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            You don’t know? And you have the nerve to hold forth on politics?

          2. graham1946
            September 14, 2020

            Benefits not available to tax paying UK residents – 4 star hotels, 3 meals a day, free mobile phone accounts, 40 quid a week spending money, all for having contributed precisely nothing, but arriving uninvited and circumventing immigration regulations.

          3. Dennis Zoff
            September 14, 2020

            bb
            An attempt at humour, one must suppose!

      6. IanT
        September 14, 2020

        We used to go and live in Europe before the EU Andy – what will be stopping people doing that now? You might need to show that you have enough means to support yourself etc – but that’s not unreasonable is it?

        So I’m pretty sure that if you want to go and live somewhere in Europe you could do so – although there may be a few forms to complete first but that’s the European way. Don’t expect it to be quick. It took me over a year to get a license for my dustbin to be emptied when living in Milan. Europeans do like bureaucracy but I guess that won’t bother you.

        1. graham1946
          September 14, 2020

          And the infamous ‘Costa Del Crime’ long before the EU was formed.

      7. Peter
        September 14, 2020

        “The right to live in Europe” – a strange concept and not taken away by the Conservatives – nought out of two.

        1. Peter
          September 14, 2020

          Not written by the Peter who usually posts here.

          Neither was a previous post before about the Treaty of Limerick.

          Suggests this poster changes username for sake of transparency..

      8. Fred H
        September 14, 2020

        we ( and that includes me) may no longer vote for them ( Tory) due to the Government being so weak. I want some foot stamping and ultimatum voices. Declare the EU continues to refuse to act in good faith, and asap or mid- October we must ‘walk away’.

        1. glen cullen
          September 14, 2020

          fully agree

      9. Northern Monkey
        September 14, 2020

        That’s not what two general elections, an EU election and a referendum say… but who knows, perhaps you are not deluding yourself?

      10. Annette
        September 14, 2020

        People have always ‘been allowed’ to live & work in countries in Europe & elsewhere. It’s called legal emigration. That has not changed.
        If you’re referring to the EU’s so-called ‘right’ to live & work in other EU countries, you obviously have not lived in these countries & found it not as ‘easy’ or ‘simple’ as it appears. I’ve spoken to many who’d discovered that those words & reality are not always the same thing. That only appears to happen in this country. I, myself, was fine as I was effectively ‘sponsored’ by my business, but had I wanted to remain as a ‘local’ after the assignment finished it was really no different to ‘normal’ legal emigration. Even the paperwork & legal codicils had to be completed.
        If you really want to move to another country, you will arrange your affairs accordingly, be in agreement with their laws & customs & want to integrate. What is the problem?

      11. rose
        September 14, 2020

        So how did British people manage to live on the Continent before accession? Or anywhere else for that matter?

      12. agricola
        September 14, 2020

        You do think and write a load of cobblers such as this on a daily basis. Who are you trying to convince other than yourself. It is perfectly possible to live in the EU if you meet the conditions individual countries set. None as onerous as the conditions set by Jersey and Guernsey, except perhaps Monaco. I do not know if Monaco considers itself part of the EU, not that it matters.

        Please stop peddling lies. The majority of those eligible to vote, who then did vote , voted conservative in sufficient relatively balanced constituencies to ensure they had a majority of 80 in the Commons. When children, illegals, and those too lazy to vote actually do so you may get your wish.

      13. Anonymous
        September 14, 2020

        You have every right to live in the EU if they want you.

        If they don’t want you then we’ve done them a favour.

        (We were sick of the Human Rights Act giving EU criminals better rights than their UK victims.)

    2. Martin in Cardiff
      September 14, 2020

      Well, the markets – remember what Thatcher said? – seem to think that the Government are making a hash of it, Mick.

      The euro’s up to over ninety-two pence again.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        The markets need swings, that’s how you make money.

      2. miami.mode
        September 14, 2020

        All the more reason why we will seek to purchase goods elsewhere in the world. £ not too bad against US, Turkey, South Africa, Japan and other places from where we import goods.

        https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/boeapps/database/Rates.asp?Travel=NIxAZx&into=GBP

    3. Bob Dixon
      September 14, 2020

      Mick

      Great post.

  3. Peter
    September 14, 2020

    Yes there has been much pompous nonsense about international reputation, so your points are well made.

    However, I take the more pragmatic view that the rest of the world could not care less about amendments to the Withdrawal Agreement. They have far more pressing concerns.

    This is just a storm in a teacup.

    1. Martin in Cardiff
      September 14, 2020

      The Rest Of The World, in many cases, are Not Like You, very fortunately.

      1. Peter
        September 14, 2020

        You obviously have a very limited worldview down in Wales.

        1. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          Martin assures us he is not Welsh, so he is living ‘abroad’ 😂😂

    2. Peter
      September 14, 2020

      Of course it is important that the amendment does go through parliament. With an 80 seat majority you would expect it to do so.

      However, it might be a good opportunity for further swamp-draining by removing those who oppose it from the Conservative party.

      There will continue to be loud protests from Continuity Remain. Some ‘big names’ will also express their concerns. These must be ignored.

      It is absolutely essential this amendment succeeds.

    3. Leslie Singleton
      September 14, 2020

      Dear Peter–I reckon such very limited damage to our reputation as might result from the legal mumbo jumbo will be compensated many times over by the respect we will gain from the World at large, in particular America, for managing the Herculean task of finally reaching the denouement. Of interest, does not anybody (apparently not even Barnier) have at least some sort of explanation why first our so-called partners actively wanted a Canadian deal and then all of a sudden that became like saying leprosy?

      1. Peter
        September 14, 2020

        Yes, realpolitik is usually better than windbags presenting themselves as ‘orators’.

        ‘Fine words butter no parsnips.’

        1. Dennis Zoff
          September 14, 2020

          +1

  4. Everhopeful
    September 14, 2020

    But it seems that we ARE following a lot of EU edicts.
    Going ahead with HS2.
    Reducing max motorway speed to 60mph.
    Keeping on and on taking in immigrants.
    Building more and more new houses ( as instructed by EU c2017).
    Being involved with EU military exercises. EUFOR.
    Is our Covid response directed by Brussels?

    Surely these involvements and obediences stretch into the future?
    How will we get free?

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      By sacking the Government that insists on compliance.

    2. Fred H
      September 14, 2020

      exactly.

    3. glen cullen
      September 14, 2020

      We get free by getting a real conservatie party

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        +1

        1. JoolsB
          September 14, 2020

          +2 but where will we find one of those? John is a rare breed in a party masquerading as Conservatives although anything but. We haven’t had a real Conservative party for years. Time to give Farage a go – Mrs. T mk11 perhaps?

          1. glen cullen
            September 15, 2020

            +1

  5. DOM
    September 14, 2020

    The UK will never be sovereign nor independent. Heath and indeed the British electorate sold our soul to the devil in the 1970’s and that act of monumental ignorance has brought to this point

    I believe the German government will bring to bear considerable pressure on this useless PM that your party has once again lumbered us with. If he can capitulate to the race, sexuality and feminist lobby then he can surely capitulate to Merkel and Macron

    The problem isn’t the EU but the British political class including the virus in opposition, the still unreformed EU fanatical client State built by Labour and your idiotic, gutless party that has done so much damage as your scramble looking for ways to protect party interest

    Liberal left progressive Johnson could liberate this nation with his majority but he’s gone down a more authoritarian pathway and taken our freedoms with him and embraced a form of politics that purges our civil environment with progressive politics and immerses us in daily propaganda of all forms

    A most brigand of PM’s not unlike the previous incumbents that have infected No.10 since 1990

    1. Nigl
      September 14, 2020

      I prefer the informed view of Robert Colville in the Sunday Times. You should read it.

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      You do the work if our enemies! Do you think a nation that voted Leave under such pressure to do the opposite will not sack MPs and Governments that refuse to behave as we wish?
      You may not know this, but the British PM May and her government were the laughing stock of the world. When the British people did their own thing, my Russian Anglofile friend told me ‘the World stopped laughing and doffed their cap’.

      1. Dennis Zoff
        September 14, 2020

        Exactly! +1

    3. dixie
      September 14, 2020

      So what is your solution?

      It cannot be ro rely on the ephemeral UKIP or Brexit party, they only pop up near GE then self immolate. In the meantime they cannot be buggered to establish a reputation for competence in local or regional government as the basis for trust in national elections

      Their only reputation is for mis-representing our interests in the EP and frightening the UK politicians enough to enable the yoemen who have worked consistently for independence to get a Brexit vote passed.

      What exactly is your practical solution?

    4. Fedupsoutherner
      September 14, 2020

      +1

      1. Fedupsoutherner
        September 14, 2020

        My +1 is for Dom.

        1. JoolsB
          September 14, 2020

          + 2. Mine too.

    5. Martin in Cardiff
      September 14, 2020

      Well, Courage Is A Virtue, and I note that this morning, our kind host apparently lacked the courage to post my comment, containing a quote from an American friend of Henry Kissinger’s, an author, who very crisply summed up the essence of Conservatism, and the central business of the UK’s government at this very moment re its contempt for international law.

      Perhaps John is not quite as confident as his piece would lead one to believe?

      1. Edward2
        September 14, 2020

        Depends if you think international law trumps laws made by democratic nations states.
        You used to tell us all the time that Parliament is supreme.
        You seem to have changed your mind.

      2. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        We are well aware of what Conservatism is thank you very much, having ‘invented’ it!

    6. Everhopeful
      September 14, 2020

      I do so agree.
      Tories were told time and again to get tough.
      They KNEW it was what people wanted and needed.
      But no…appease the left always.
      Look where it has brought us!

    7. Ed M
      September 14, 2020

      ‘The UK will never be sovereign nor independent’

      – That’s exactly what people said in France in the Middle Ages when governed by a foreign power.

      And then a 17 year old, semi-peasant girl came along led a French army against the foreign power – and within a few years of her death, mainly thanks to her, the foreign power was driven out and France became a Sovereign nation again.

      And what was the ultimate power behind St Joan of Arc: it was her Christian faith!

      Lastly, let’s not forget how Sir Winston Churchill loved Joan, claiming she was the greatest human being of the last 1,000 years. Napoleon said similar things. And atheist / agnostic Mark Twain was obsessed by St Joan of Arc.

      I think we should take this really seriously because Brexit is beginning to turn into the long and surreal 100 years War – a war that was ultimately ended and won by the Christian faith of a young, semi-peasant woman.

      1. miami.mode
        September 14, 2020

        Well Ed, we’ve got a middle-aged semi-trained Eton mess to lead us to our nirvana.

        1. Lynn Atkinson
          September 15, 2020

          We had Mrs May. The whole point about democracy is that you can change the Govt. join the Tory Party, and you get a say in who is leader (PM) too.

        2. Ed M
          September 15, 2020

          ‘we’ve got a middle-aged semi-trained Eton mess to lead us to our nirvana’ 🙂

      2. Lynn Atkinson
        September 15, 2020

        +1

  6. Peter Wood
    September 14, 2020

    Good Morning,

    ‘No agreement is better than a bad agreement..’ , remember that? Boris was too lazy to heed the warnings and signed up to the mildly amended May deal; now he knows why that was a bad deal.

    However, it’s now about real politics; the question is will BJ be able to stand firm and keep his party behind him, or will he bluster and smirk and break, giving the EU the power it craves over the UK.

    Interesting times..

  7. agricola
    September 14, 2020

    The EU see that coming quickly to an FTA makes it look as easy as it is. We are for the moment actually in that situation. Resolving it with an FTA is of benefit to all in the UK and Europe. The EU wish to punish the UK for wishing to leave and in so doing discourage any other sovereign country from so doing before a united states of europe becomes a reality. If ever a USEU is allowed to materialise from the present EU it will be even harder to leave.

    Prepare those who export solely to the EU with the necessay information to do so on WTO terms. The rest of industry, especially those in the CBI who are already exporting on WTO terms, should not need any special preparation.

    Set mid October in concrete as the cut off date for any further negotiation with the EU. Four years of their provarication has been long enough to resolve matters. The final line should be, come back in 2021 plus if you do not like WTO terms and have anything positive to say. On fishing we only deal with nation states, end of story.

  8. Andy
    September 14, 2020

    It is not secret that I do not like Brexit.

    It is no secret that I think the withdrawal agreement is rubbish.

    It is is no secret that I think this is a lousy prime minister and government.

    But for those of you who like these things, consider this.

    Today your MPs will be reduced to voting to break the law.

    They will knowingly vote to break the law. Read it again. It is shocking.

    They will probably convince themselves it is a minor breach. Shoplifting rather than murder.

    But just look at what Brexit has done to them. It has turned your MPs into lawbreakers.

    Shocking. Shocking. Shocking.

    There is no doubt this bill breaks the law. The government has said so.

    Our European friends – Ireland, France have warned us of the damage to our reputation.

    So has the United States, New Zealand.

    I know Brexit is a mess.

    But how on earth can any of you look at this absolute mess, this total shambles, you have created and not wince.

    Is this really what you voted for or are you lying to yourselves too – just like the MPs are?

    1. Sea Warrior
      September 14, 2020

      When you say ‘the United States’ do you mean its government or a part of the lower house of its legislature?

    2. BW
      September 14, 2020

      What utter nonsense. The PM is merely using Clause 38 to strengthen the U.K. in the likely event the EU fail to honour its commitments within the agreement to honour our sovereignty and work towards a FTA.
      They have clearly failed in both and refuse to accept a FTA on the lines that they have given to others in order to maintain control after Jan 1st. Worst still to show other nations that we have been punished and what will befall others if they dare to think for themselves.
      There is nothing shocking in a sovereign country trying to do what is in their best interests. You only have to look at Germany and France verses Italy and Greece with the despicable way Brussels Dictatorship behaved.
      Go and ask the countries you mention if they would accept any interference as a nation from any other. They would soon draft laws to stop it
      Why don’t you quote the many who say the PM is not breaking the law.
      This is the last treasonous stand of the remainers determined to keep us under EU control despite a huge majority of conservatives especially from the North owing their seats to the mantra “ Let’s get Brexit Done “ Treachery has a long memory as you may well remember etc ed

    3. Martin in Cardiff
      September 14, 2020

      Read Nesrine Malik’s commentary in today’s Guardian, Andy.

      She explains very clearly how and why.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        😂😂

      2. Fred H
        September 14, 2020

        You are a Graunad reader!, I would never have believed it !

    4. Roy Grainger
      September 14, 2020

      Parliament is sovereign, Andy, as you never tired of telling us a few months ago. So tough.

    5. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      If a nation’s Parliament cannot alter the law then we are not a free independent nation.
      Parliament is supreme not your EU nor the UN.
      As you argued at the time of the Article 50 case.
      I realise this is comes as a shock for you globalist EU ultra remainers.

      1. bill brown
        September 14, 2020

        Edward 2

        so you start in sigular and later you include everybody, can you please make up your mind?

        1. Edward2
          September 14, 2020

          You misunderstood my words.
          I was grouping you and other regular pro EU posters into one lot.
          Got it now bill?

          1. bill brown
            September 15, 2020

            Edward2

            you shoud make it more cleiar that you were talking and including teh entire world subsequently

          2. Edward2
            September 15, 2020

            Sorry bill I will try to do better next time so you can understand my words more easily.

    6. Richard1
      September 14, 2020

      And what answer do you have to JR’s points about the EU’s own breach of the agreement on UK internal market, sovereignty etc? Or is it OK as far as you are concerned for the EU to make absurd threats about banning food imports to NI in a way which would clearly make a nonsense of the UK internal market and the NI peace agreement?

      1. Andy
        September 14, 2020

        It isn’t true so I have no answer to it.

        1. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          It’s true, and you have no answer. You never do have.

          1. bill brown
            September 16, 2020

            Lynn Atkinson

            You have answers but they are usually not worth the paper they are written on

    7. Pud
      September 14, 2020

      Andy, you have often written on this site in support of the economic migrants who pay criminals to facilitate their illegal entry into the UK, so don’t try to pretend that you are concerned about law breaking.

      1. Andy
        September 14, 2020

        Seeking asylum is not illegal. Nor is arriving by dinghy to seek asylum.

        1. Pud
          September 14, 2020

          As you have been told before, these criminal economic migrants (not asylum seekers) aren’t paddling their dinghies all the way to the UK from whichever country they claim to be fleeing from. They are illegal according to Section 21(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971: ‘A person who is not a British citizen shall be guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction with a fine . . . or with imprisonment … or with both . . . if contrary to this Act he knowingly enters the United Kingdom in breach of a deportation order or without leave.’ Article 31 of the 1951 Refugee Convention states that refugees must come ‘directly’ from the territory where life or freedom was threatened or they may be liable for ‘penalties, on account of their illegal entry or presence’.
          To pre-empt any false accusation of racism or lack of sympathy, I believe the UK should welcome genuine asylum seekers but should reject criminals who masquerade as such.

        2. Dennis
          September 14, 2020

          Pud was writing about economic migrants not asylum seekers which means…..

        3. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          International law says you have to seek asylum in the first safe country you get to. None of these ‘asylum seekers‘ have got to Britain As the first country. So what they are doing is choosing where to live and that, in international law, is illegal.
          Do you therefore condemn it?

        4. Fred H
          September 14, 2020

          You have never accepted what seeking asylum actually is.
          End of dialogue.

      2. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        +1. Positively support it!

    8. Geoff not Hoon
      September 14, 2020

      Andy. If you have read Sir John”s diary today can you explain how you would propose dealing with the NI food supply situation once the EU introduce barriers and indeed how would you then deal with Brussels on the matter?

      1. Andy
        September 14, 2020

        You voted for Brexit – which, apparently, included leaving the customs union (which you hadn’t heard of until after the referendum). It is leaving the customs union (which you hadn’t heard of until after the referendum) which necessitates the hard border which you all said at the time of the referendum would not be needed.

        Consequently you need to be the ones who have plans for Northern Ireland. Not me. The downsides of Brexit – particularly for NI – have been evident to me for nearly 5 years. Not sure why you are just realising it now.

        1. Edward2
          September 14, 2020

          I’m sure Geoff and everyone on here knew about the Customs Union and the Single market
          Most are in business and know an awful lot more about trade and commerce than you do judging by some of the schoolboy errors in your posts.

          The UK has said they will not have a hard border in Ireland.
          But if your EU wants to build a wall they can get on with it.

        2. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          We have battled with yes Brexit means the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland obtaining Sovereignty. Anything less is the mess you are currently advocating. Supporting the enemies of your own country again.
          You are a disgrace.

        3. Dennis Zoff
          September 14, 2020

          Andy

          5 years of inane protestation without any meaningful result. I feel for you, it must be tough!

    9. IanT
      September 14, 2020

      I’ve reflected on this quite recently Andy – and find myself quite unmoved. I’m not shocked or indeed worried. It’s a game of Poker, with both sides playing the best hands they have. That’s it.

      1. Lifelogic
        September 14, 2020

        Indeed it is. The UK is not helped by all the dire remoaners again undermining the government with for example the Benn Act and not undermining it by speaking against (or even threatening to vote against) this important bill.

    10. john Miller
      September 14, 2020

      Wow. The last time we broke international law was 2013. In the Finance Act. What ructions that caused. Oh, I may have got that wrong! Surely not!

    11. agricola
      September 14, 2020

      On the record of the past four years, if Ireland and France are our friends God help us. Ireland spoke for the EU, France always speaks for itself. As to the USA warning us, I think you will find it was only Ms Pelosi from a democratic party whose president told us to get to the back of the queue. I do not recall Donald uttering any threats, but he is on record as not having much respect for the EU. On New Zealand I cannot comment as I have not read of them getting in a tissy about it.

      I would only wince if we bowed to anything EU that diluted us the UK as a sovereign state. For all the wingeing about us stating our intentions on not getting an FTA, there are as many if not more legal voices telling us there are clauses within the WA that allow us to do it. For most it will be a balance of interpretation, for you seemingly a life jacket, even a leaky one.

      I do not accept that our MPs are a lying bunch of scallywags, prepared to break the law. I believe like me that they will realise that the WA is a contradictory document open to interpretation and they will do just that. Parliament with the blessing of the people is the ultimate arbiter of law in the UK, not the EU, any other nation, or interest group. Your ship is sinking fast.

    12. ukretired123
      September 14, 2020

      Fake news Andy rants!

    13. Fred H
      September 14, 2020

      yawn. 2 or 3 lines and I ‘switched off and moved on’.

    14. rose
      September 14, 2020

      Save your outrage for the real lawbreakers, France and Germany, and above all the EU.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        +1

    15. Pominoz
      September 14, 2020

      And Good Morning to you, Andy.

      Interesting that our ‘friends’ throughout the world which you mention – i.e. the extreme Democrats in the US, Jacinta Ardern in New Zealand are wholly exceedingly left leaning or not really our ‘friends’ within the EU.

    16. Bryan Harris
      September 14, 2020

      @Andy

      How is it that one man – You, can be so wrong about so many things…. You really do need to evaluate your own logic.

      Despite protesting a number of things, apart from the lack of logic, you simply come forth with vague concepts, like all good socialists do, but you explain nothing.

      Your complaints have no substance — You simply repeat garbage you heard down the pub – You are not even original.

      What is it, exactly that you have a problem with — Try to add a few ‘why’s in there

    17. Al
      September 14, 2020

      “But just look at what Brexit has done to them. It has turned your MPs into lawbreakers.” – Andy

      I’m afraid this is one thing you can’t blame Brexit for.

      The Parliament UK website has a PDF factsheet of members imprisoned since 1979, so I’m afraid the phenomenon of lawbreaking MPs rather predates Brexit. If you go even further back, Thomas Cochrane was re-elected while in jail for the offence that he had been removed from his seat for.

    18. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      So you think the EU should be able to ‘hand back powers’ to Devolved Administrations rather than to the U.K. Government from whence they came?
      Eccentric view.

    19. Anonymous
      September 14, 2020

      You expected the Human Rights Act to be abused in favour of criminals over victims (especially EU criminals over UK victims) without consequences.

      Oh dear.

  9. Nigl
    September 14, 2020

    Yes. My impression is that the country is with HMG on this. The alleged Tory MPs who will vote against need to examine their motives.

    As for the one eyed howls of protest, I see now the lawyers have come over all sanctimonious, their original positions as Remainers make it transparently obvious this is an extension of Project Fear.

    Blair and Majors’ egos keep telling them they are relevant. Social Media got it right this time, they are not.

    1. bill brown
      September 14, 2020

      Sir JR

      By promoting this bill you are losing all the varied credibility you have built up over the years.
      We/you are reneging on an agreement you voted for in Parliament on the presumption that it might be sued, whilst breaking international agreeemnts, the ministerial code and the reputation of the UK. (according to Geoffrey Cox former attorney general).
      This is a SAD DAY FOR THE UK

      1. Edward2
        September 14, 2020

        Gosh we are losing all our credibility from every nation on earth.
        Hyperbole of the highest order.
        Amending an act passed by Parliament
        With a new act.
        Passed by Parliament which is supreme.
        Just reasserting our national sovereignty
        Which comes as a shock to you bill after 47 years of us taking orders from the EU.

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Edward 2

          NObody is taking any orders, if you think it is Okay to supersede an international agreement, then we obvisouls have different views on international law ans how it should be respected by a nation like the UK

          1. Edward2
            September 14, 2020

            The EU makes laws, rules, regulations and directives which we in the UK have to follow.
            Therefore we take orders from the EU.

            Now we have almost left we can start to make and amend laws ourselves.
            We are encouraged by the Gina Miller case where the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament is supreme.
            If you think a nation should take orders from the EU or the UN then we obviously have different views on how a democracy should work.

          2. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            We sure do have different views on international law!
            What is your real name? You are not British. Where do you live?

        2. bill brown
          September 16, 2020

          Edward 2

          Giv e me a call and I will teach you the principles of international law and how it is incorporated in netional laws constantly

          1. Edward2
            September 17, 2020

            I dont need any help from you bill having spent decades trading all over the world where understanding all applicable international law, WTO regulations, product standards and treaties was important for success of the company.

            But thanks for the offer.

    2. bill brown
      September 14, 2020

      Nigl,

      the MPS who shold look at their motive are the one’s who will vote for the bill after voting for tHE WA freely and democratically in the first place.

      1. Nigl
        September 14, 2020

        Have you read nothing, especially JRs comments. What is wrong in accepting the good faiths intentions in it then deciding that when that is abused, an alternative is needed. Did you vote to stay in?

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Nigl,

          Because we should stick to teh signed international agreements endorsed and supported majority in Parliament. NO, ifs or buts.
          Good faiths is not what makes international agremetns to work well and then use alternative legislation if is abused.
          Have you read nothing about international law?

          1. Edward2
            September 14, 2020

            What is this international law you speak of bill?
            Does it trump laws made in democratic nations all over the world.
            Can laws ever be altered?
            Can laws ever be amended?
            Perhaps as an expert you can tell us.
            Thanks

      2. Jiminyjim
        September 14, 2020

        So according to you, ‘Bill’, once an agreement has been reached, the nation is stuck with it, even after the national mood changes. What utter tripe – in your world the people would still be locked into laws hundreds of years old. Oh, and it would be nice to have your apology for accusing me of fake news yesterday, when it has been confirmed by several senior ministers that Barnier did indeed threaten to prevent the movement of food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. You are the one pumping out fake news, ‘Bill’

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Nigl,

          Neither the UK nor the EU are protectionist in nature but you obvioulsy find this to be the case. All countries taht I know protect thier farming with protectionist measures including the US , Japan , CHina and Russia

        2. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Jiminyjim

          If I have done you wrong I apologize.

          However, your statements are most often not sourced or informed contributions, that often verge on the basis of fake news.

          An international agreement agreed and supportted by Parliament back in May , should be upheld, lots of international agreements are more than hundre years old and are still followed as well

          1. Edward2
            September 14, 2020

            And many gave been superceded and amended.
            What is your actual point?

    3. rose
      September 14, 2020

      Blair was telling us last night on LBC that Trump should “co-ordinate the world” in the pandemic. Since his disastrous devolution, we can’t even co-ordinate our own country. Quite apart from which, Trump has brought us peace where Blair took us to war four times.

    4. Fred H
      September 14, 2020

      has-beens still making a noise. Best ignored.

  10. Mark B
    September 14, 2020

    Good morning.

    I read elsewhere recently how the then EEC illegally conspired to steal British, Irish and Norwegian fish stocks with the use of the CFP. The Norwegians rightly saw this as an illegal move and chose to have none of it, but the UK government under Edward Heath signed up us to it knowing full well that the EEC had no right to demand such things. Ever since UK governments of all stripes maintained this lie and it was not until Maastricht that the EU was created and that it was no longer and illegal act.

    The European Project has always been about theft of other countrie resources. Germany and France realised that to have peace between them they had to divide Europe between themselves and the EEC / EU was a good way of doing it. Now they have come for UK territorial waters and soil, and believe me, it will not end there.

    This is war by other means !

    1. Nigl
      September 14, 2020

      Not forgetting the E45 billion ish subsidies for the CAP predominantly to buy farmers (French) votes.

      No wonder they hate the threat to their protectionism posed by Brexit.

      1. margaret howard
        September 14, 2020

        Nigl

        And not forgetting:

        “Dozens of MPs and peers, including some with vast inherited wealth, own or manage farms that collectively have received millions of pounds in European Union subsidies.”

        Guardian 2019

        That’s going to hurt. The French will survive. They have one of the world’s most successful farming export business.

        No doubt they hope to receive some of the money the EU won’t have to pay our British farmers. Seeing that the French under De Gaulle repeatedly vetoed our application to join the EU all those years ago, they will find this ‘loss’ worth it.

        1. Anonymous
          September 14, 2020

          Because French Farmers cheated the EU system and Charles de Gaulle wouldn’t let us in until the framework in favour of rural France had been stitched up.

        2. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          De Gaulle owed us. We let him march into Paris as a Victor.

        3. Fred H
          September 14, 2020

          so far the French have the world’s most protected farming business. The tide night be turning.

        4. Edward2
          September 14, 2020

          In your first paragraph, can you understand now why the rich UK elite love the EU?

      2. bill brown
        September 14, 2020

        Nigl,

        Neither the UK nor the EU are protectionist in nature but you obvioulsy find this to be the case. All countries taht I know protect thier farming with protectionist measures including the US , Japan , CHina and Russia

        1. Edward2
          September 14, 2020

          Ask coffee growers around the world where the EU tariffs stops processed coffee imports into Europe.
          Same with bananas.
          And other goods where the EU protectionist tariffs stop free trade in an effort to sustain uncompetitive EU nations.

          1. bill brown
            September 15, 2020

            Edward2

            we do not grow bananas in teh EU except French islands

          2. Edward2
            September 15, 2020

            Spanish Canary Islands. Cyprus and Greece

          3. bill brown
            September 16, 2020

            Edward 2

            they do not export bananas look it up if you can be bothered

          4. Edward2
            September 17, 2020

            You are off on another subject.
            I said the EU has protectionist policies.
            I gave an example of coffee.
            There are many more.

            Bananas are grown in the EU
            You were wrong.
            Whether they are exported is totally irrelevant to the EU’s protectionist policies.

    2. Simeon
      September 14, 2020

      And this government, just like all those before it are fifth columnists. Prove me wrong Blowers!

  11. Newmania
    September 14, 2020

    I think this is a splendid idea . Instead of agreeing things and then doing them we should dig up some irrelevant false comparisons and ignore the agreement we have just made when it suits us .
    This bodes extremely well for the process of begging countries with whom we deal on EU trade terms to roll over the deals ( aka being global Britain). We agree to all the things we want, offer tempting access to the UK in return ,and then( this is the good bit ) simply ignore the bit we don’t like.
    I intend to do this in my personal life .I have just told my wife I will tidy up the house and put up a shelf for her today , as I don`t want to I shall pretend I never said any such thing. Problem solved ..its really quite brilliant.
    Yes dear…I`ll pick you up after work ( ….pssst …not going to ……)

    1. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      Like the Parliament of this nation you are free to change your mind.

    2. Narrow Shoulders
      September 14, 2020

      Your example is flawed.

      If your are renting and agreed to put up shelves then you would need to refer to your tenancy agreement which predates your promise to put up shelves. If it is not in line with the tenancy agreement then you can not put up the shelves.

      If you own the house then you are sovereign and can do what you wish. You wife on the other hand may also withdraw favors.

      1. IanT
        September 14, 2020

        My wife gets upset when I don’t put them up! Doing nothing is not an option as far as she is concerned – she wants it done NOW!

        I am of course still in over all command….

    3. Richard1
      September 14, 2020

      What are you talking about most of those deals have been rolled over already and a new FTA has just been signed with Japan. What answer have you got to JR’s points about the EU’s ignoring it’s obligations to respect the UK single market, sovereignty etc?

      1. acorn
        September 14, 2020

        Desperate is as desperate does. Bits are coming out about the Japan-UK trade deal. For instance from the FT:

        “The vaunted compromise on agriculture — which the UK had made a priority in the hope of raising sales of value-added exports such as cheese — has less substance than London suggests.

        Britain failed to secure new so-called tariff rate quotas, which allow EU farmers to sell a limited quantity of sensitive food products to Japan at lower tariffs. The UK can instead use any quota left unfilled by the EU in 10 of 25 products covered by the EU-Japan agreement.

        Japan and other countries are making it plain that post Brexit trade deals with the UK, are dependent on the final deal between the UK and the EU. They are much more concerned with losing EU trade, than gaining UK trade.

        So far, the UK has provisionally agreed about £84 billion worth of, “total trade” deals (i.e, Imports plus exports with a particular country); assuming, the UK-Iceland-Norway deal does not now go ahead. That is about 6% of current UK total trade with the rest of the world, including the EU, mostly facilitated by the UK being an EU member state.

        The total trade between the UK and Japan is currently worth about £17 billion a year. That is about 1.2% of £1424 billion of UK global total trade. Of that total, last year, £673 billion was with the EU27; £751 billion was with the Rest-of-the-World.

        The Rest-of-the-World is watching what the EU is going to do; not what the UK is going to bungle next.

        1. Edward2
          September 15, 2020

          You remainers are obsessing about trade deals.
          International trade is better with agreements but trade just carries on under WTO rules without such formal agreements.
          Do you notice any shortages of goods in the UK from America or South Korea or Japan or many other trading nations despite them not having trade agreements with us?
          Japan is just the first recent trade deal.
          A symbol of what can happen.

          1. acorn
            September 16, 2020

            No country trades with the UK on WTO rules alone. The UK has at least one hundred bilateral trade agreements with the USA.

          2. Edward2
            September 16, 2020

            And they are simple trading agreements like labelling on goods and putting ingredients in particular measures.

            You are just proving to me that having a formal trade deal isnt crucial to successful international trade.

    4. Fred H
      September 14, 2020

      and was she going to put the washing in the machine, and cook a meal for you tonight? Probably say ‘your turn mate, I can’t be bothered’.

  12. JayGee
    September 14, 2020

    Why would Former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox disagree with you? Is he now part of the EU establishment? I didn’t vote for a government to break the law. I think most people expect any government to obey the law. Why sign an agreement that you know has areas within it that you dislike? Doesn’t make much sense to normal people.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 14, 2020

      We voted for a government to make the laws.

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      Cox was always a Remainer.

      1. glen cullen
        September 14, 2020

        correct – yes he was

    3. Caterpillar
      September 14, 2020

      “Why sign an agreement that you know has areas within it that you dislike? Doesn’t make much sense to normal people.”

      I must be abnormal, it makes perfect sense to me. The HoC was deadlocked, there was no route to a General Election to remove the country from deadlock without an agreement. Hence sign it if you know there is a way out of it.

      As Tory rebels mass, I think the issue going forward will be how Sir Keir positions himself and the Labour Party. He has indicated that he will support the PM on Brexit implementation but not on parts that break the law. I think this gives him room to specify what doesn’t break law, moreover he can signal his understanding of the Good Friday Agreement and a support for U.K. (including devolution) sovereignty. If he plays the long term and largely supports the P.M. on this then Labour will appear to have turned the corner and to recognise the referendum result. If he plays the game of supporting Brexit but not the integrity of the U.K. internal market or sovereignty then he may get short term gain over the P.M. (perhaps even contributing to a new Tory leader) but long term he will be adding to the problems that Labour caused under Corbyn; he won’t win the red wall back.

      He could stand back, instruct his party to abstain and leave the Tories arguing among themselves, but I hope for the country and for the U.K’s need of a competent opposition that Sir Keir demonstrates how the argument can be made to achieve what the P.M. wants, perhaps in contrast to how Brandon Lewis presented the position.

      (Tory rebels need to ask themselves what they are trying to accomplish in fighting against U.K. independence, and to reflect on how the sorry state came about due to their previous behaviour … though I don’t expect they do/will reflect.)

    4. Lifelogic
      September 14, 2020

      Well nearly every agreement I have signed has some elements in them that I dislike. Usually the fee, the security demanded or the interests rate applicable I would have preferred a high negative one. It is not at all unusual for domestic laws to differ from international ones.

    5. kenneth
      September 14, 2020

      What law?

    6. rose
      September 14, 2020

      Cox said last year he was a Brexiteer and a Unionist. Now the BBC is saying he is “a committed Brexiteer”. I am sorry to say I wasn’t convinced last year, despite the booming voice and theatrical manner, and all doubt has been removed now. The PM was presumably not convinced either, because he replaced him with someone who undoubtedly is a Brexiteer and a Unionist.

      What is it about these dispensed with AGs that they have to take out their personal disappointment on the country?

  13. Sea Warrior
    September 14, 2020

    With Cox on the attack this morning, there’s a clear need for the PM to do some sensible politicking on this matter. Perhaps some MPs should be called in and given a higher-level briefing than that given to MPs on Friday. (If Boris is taking advice from Cummings, then I wouldn’t expect persuasion to feature prominently in the project plan.) For my own interest, I’ll now do some research as to whether Cox was sacked from his government position, and replaced by someone less qualified, or whether he resigned from it. And then I’ll look forward to some BBC Parliament!

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      When Cox was selected I had an hour long conversation with him about the BDI and why he should sign it. He was without any question, a Remainer. Still is.

      1. Fred H
        September 14, 2020

        good for you – I can think of dozens of things I’d rather spend an hour doing.

        1. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          I spoke to a lot of them. But Cox was from the south west and needed to be a ‘Brexiteer’ to get selected and elected. So I pressured him. He’s a Remainer, always has been. Good voice and of course wonderful presentation skills. That’s what they are trained to do – lawyers – and to argue any case.

      2. Jiminyjim
        September 14, 2020

        As are the vast majority of the legal profession – it’s the best example we have of ‘groupthink’

  14. Ian Kaye
    September 14, 2020

    I can’t see Labour MPs putting up much of a fight on this one. And if and when it gets to the Lords it will probably be put through in a very thin house.

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      Starmer ‘self-isolating’ 😂😂 he’s thanking God for CV19!

  15. Sharon
    September 14, 2020

    I’m on board with the Internal Market Bill. I’m so pleased that finally the government seem to be holding firm and doing the best thing for Britain – for once!

    A bloc that knowingly sets itself up to hide behind a facade of democracy and purposefully takes away the sovereignty of its member states, ‘slice by slice’ is never going to behave honestly. The EU’s wording in any document has always been deliberately disingenuous so to twist it to work in their favour. They are little short of a communist bloc.

    I sincerely hope that once the last tentacles are severed some of the more authoritarian paths can be back tracked. That is a major concern of many. I don’t know if that is Remainer influence, but it is of major concern and a fear. As a newly sovereign country we don’t need to follow the global agenda!!!!!!

  16. Lifelogic
    September 14, 2020

    Exactly.

    Meanwhile how many people will actually obey the unenforcable rule of six that come in today?

    1. Mark B
      September 14, 2020

      Well I am on a train home. And it’s packed !

      1. glen cullen
        September 14, 2020

        You can have hundreds of individuals on a trains just not hundreds in groups of six

      2. Fred H
        September 14, 2020

        hope you are wearing a full hazmat suit?

  17. Javelin
    September 14, 2020

    We are about to enter a very severe recession where over a million jobs will be lost YET according to City AM your Government is about to open the job sector to millions of immigrants. The words “political suicide” “hatred of British” spring to mind.

    “ UK 2021 Immigration System: details revealed”

    – Removal of resident labour market testing

    – Removal of the cap on the number of people who can come into the UK as sponsored workers

    – Lowering of the skills threshold to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 3 to cover more roles

    – Lowering of the salary threshold and some flexibility around how to pickup points

    – Flexibilities around the ‘cooling off’ period

    – Ability for intra-company transferees to switch into the Skilled Worker route

    1. Sea Warrior
      September 14, 2020

      Then I hope Nigel will resurrect the Brexit Party. The attachment of this ‘Conservative’ party to immigration defies understanding. The Sunday Times this weekend advised me that the leafy piece of England I aspire to retire to is algorithmed to have to build over a 1000 new homes a year. The only good news in all this is that the Conservative MP is a hard-core Remainer who probably approves of immigration. He’ll get a nasty shock come election time.

    2. Caterpillar
      September 14, 2020

      +1

      I think the salary threshold is not thought through. I view salary as roughly a proxy for GDP add, for an individual immigrant if this marginal value is below GDP per capita then GDP per capita will go down by the immigration of that person into the UK. The original value before the PM and Patel reduced it, it was closer to this, what should be an absolute minimum threshold if the wlefare of those already resident in the UK is a consideration of the Govt.

      Moreover low income immigration has been linked to a reduction in social mobility, obviously with follow on consequences. It is problematic at the best of times, now it will be even more so.

      1. rose
        September 15, 2020

        They love to prattle on about a race to the bottom but that is what they have brought about with their open borders extremism.

    3. Anonymous
      September 14, 2020

      The only positive being the Tory 80 seat majority, ex EU with no hiding place now.

      Everybody sees that it is the Tory Party that has been doing this to us all along.

      Peter Hitchens was absolutely right even though I argued with him about it.

    4. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      We need Brexit. Then we can fix a number of other problems. Brexit gives us the power to do that, without it, we are stuffed!

  18. John E
    September 14, 2020

    The rest of the world wants a united Ireland.

    You argue that it’s OK for us to break laws because other people sometimes do bad things. Really?

    1. Sea Warrior
      September 14, 2020

      The people of Northern Ireland don’t seem to want one.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        +1

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      My sister-in-law, a Dane says the same thing ‘obviously Northern Ireland should be part of Ireland’. I told her that ‘obviously Denmark should be part of Germany’.
      That was that.

    3. graham1946
      September 14, 2020

      They can have one if they want. The UK does not have any territorial ambitions for Northern Ireland – they have been told they can join the Republic any time they can get a majority in the north to agree. That’s the tricky bit. They don’t even want to talk about a referendum, let alone vote to leave the UK.

  19. Alan Jutson
    September 14, 2020

    Just shows how completely out of touch and useless Mrs May was as a negotiator, unless of course this was her hidden plan all along.
    Daniel Hannan’s article in the Sunday Telegraph was an interesting read yesterday, the Eu could not believe how easily they got everything that they wanted.

  20. Steve
    September 14, 2020

    Politicians specialise in making new problems that, miraculously, only they can solve, usually at large public expense whilst making as much noise about their “success” as they can. This little storm in a teacup is particularly useful at the moment to take people’s minds off the continuing economic and social disaster of the utterly unjustified lockdowns.
    When are we going to have a discussion about ending the repressive laws enacted by a frightened and cowardly parliament? What about the plan to coerce the entire population nto having continuous flawed tests so that they can carry on a semblence of normal life? What about the almost certain follow on of coerced vaccinations injecting who knows what toxins in? No time soon I suspect because a real examination of the topic would expose a lot of people to prosecution.

  21. Ian @Barkham
    September 14, 2020

    Good morning Sir John

    You are right. The EU is controlling to the detriment of the World. Most of what they call standards are at bets just hinderance to stop having to allow trade on an equal basis. The CAP does more to undermine emerging Countries and others. You could virtually see it as a weapon.

    As shown time and time again the EU doesn’t comply with International Law or WTO rules and avoids compliance by moving its own goal post and directs the ECJ to reflect the EU Law takes precedence.

    They desperately need the UK to come under their control, maybe just a little bit today so they can keep salami slicing away with those traitors to an independent UK that live amongst us.

  22. David Rennick
    September 14, 2020

    You clearly feel that the end justifies the means. I can respect that even if I disagree with it.

  23. Ian @Barkham
    September 14, 2020

    I still find it odd that the EU can run rough shod over the acts ‘The Union with Ireland Act 1800’ and the ‘Good Friday Agreement’ the accuse the UK of acting in bad faith. When it is they that have deviously set out to destroy the UK through the back door

    It is clear when you get involved with these nasty people they disrespect you as people, ‘you were conquered’ so get over it we are now the law.

    All these little chinks and nuances that keep get invented are all contrived to ensure the EU is the Law and the ECJ is the arbiter of that Law. What it has shown is that those running the EU are despicable, dishonest bureaucrats. They are not helping the people of the EU, their actions get to be seen as a trait of the European Nation – when I suspect they are different altogether.

    The lesson the last 4 years has taught us that what we voted for a ‘Clean Break’ is and can be the only right outcome. Signing anything with this bunch of hypocrites will reflect badly on the quality of the UK political class.

    1. bill brown
      September 14, 2020

      Ian@barkham

      Looking at it from where I am sitting they are both playing this postring game.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        Where are you sitting?

        1. bill brown
          September 15, 2020

          Lynn Akinson

          In central London and you ?

  24. Bryan Harris
    September 14, 2020

    It’s strange how the guilty squeal like a pig because their crimes have not all surfaced — That’s how it appears with the EU.

    There are numerous injustices imposed on the UK by the EU, and they will never ‘get honest’ if we do not illustrate them to the wider world.

    It is perfectly correct that we should regain our independence in every possible way …. After that we need a much improved contract with Parliament.

    1. Andy
      September 14, 2020

      So tell us what these injustices are?

      PS: your personal petty grievances about life don’t count.

      1. Bryan Harris
        September 14, 2020

        If you’d been paying attention you would have noticed — Everything from the way the UK was split into several regions unlike any other country – to how we were cheated under their alleged justice

      2. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        How about the destruction of the fishing grounds with the sea bed under 20ft of dead fish? There is more of course.

        1. bill brown
          September 16, 2020

          Lynn Atkinson

          Could we have some proff of 20 Ft of dead fish

  25. BOF
    September 14, 2020

    If, when this has played out, the EU has any power left to interfere in the affairs of the UK, then Boris Johnson and his government will have failed.

    The BBC are plugging this story and attempting to do the maximum harm, as always.

  26. Adam
    September 14, 2020

    The UK shall do what it knows to be right.
    Those who disagree remain wrong.

  27. dixie
    September 14, 2020

    Wasn’t Cox a May appointment, who was/is a commercial lawyer, “encouraged to resign” in the reshuffle at the beginning of the year because he was not a team player?

  28. Iain Gill
    September 14, 2020

    Government and public sector is close to loss of all confidence in the country now.

    These Covid measures are so clearly a confused mess, nobody but nobody has any faith.

    And the way the NHS is being allowed to get away with poor performance is staggering.

    And closing down the economy and trashing our most productive sectors.

    Forget Europe thats trivia.

    This is a nightmare.

  29. bill brown
    September 14, 2020

    Nigl,

    the MPS who shold look at their motive are the one’s who will vote for the bill after voting for tHE WA freely and democratically in the first place.

    1. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      MPs will have a vote this evening.
      Parliament is supreme as remainers have been telling everyone for years and they can change and alter any law they like.
      That is how free independent nations operate.
      Neither the UN nor the EU can do anything about it.

  30. AndyC
    September 14, 2020

    I couldn’t care less about ‘breaking’ so-called ‘international law’. This is just the latest in a long line of lawyer’s tricks to keep us as vassals of the EU.

    Parliament, as Gina Miller et al were so keen to remind us, is sovereign. Oddly, the EU shills don’t seem so keen on that idea now.

    1. bill brown
      September 14, 2020

      AndyC

      This is about our future reputation in the world , it is really less about what you care about

      1. ukretired123
        September 14, 2020

        Bill Brown Blair didn’t have a problem with Iraq!

      2. Edward2
        September 14, 2020

        You may find it exciting but the rest of the world isnt very bothered.

      3. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        ‘Our’ future reputation – but not yours, you are not British. Who are you? What is your real name and where do you live? What language do you speak – it’s not English or even Welsh!

        1. bill brown
          September 15, 2020

          Lynn Atkinson,

          I speak English and have British nationality. So stop your foreign discrimination and stick to teh subjects discussed

  31. Peter Parsons
    September 14, 2020

    I didn’t realise Norman Lamont and Michael Howard were part of the EU establishment.

  32. Tabulazero
    September 14, 2020

    The conclusion of this affair is quite simple: you cannot trust the British government if it reneges on a deal it signed less than 9 months ago.

    This lesson will be applied to any future relationship the UK will have with the European Union before of after the end of the transition period.

    “You can’t trust the Brits”.

    1. James
      September 14, 2020

      Yes from time immemorial the rest of the world has looked on and know them well- perfidious albion- that name just didn’t fall from the sky- there is form here.

      Problem now is if others in the world start thinking that they can also bring in domestic laws to circumvent international treaty laws- just by saying it is a change to suit “but only in a specific and limited way”? I mean what country could put their signature to an international agreement with UK government for any agreement knowing that it can be reneged or twisted out of shape at any time- Bizarre is indeed the correct term alright

    2. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      The deal is void if the EU and UK cannot reach agreement.
      It is pretty obvious that the chance of a deal happening is very low.

    3. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      Yes – you get them to agree to vassalage, you put their PM in a small anti-chamber with a sandwich for 6 hours while you dictate the agenda and timescale, and blow me, they rise from the ashes and defend their own territory and fish!
      What a duplicitous lot. Let’s hope the Oligarchical EU refuse to treat with us again!

    4. beresford
      September 14, 2020

      You can’t trust the EU either. They said that if we signed the one-sided WA then they would agree a straightforward FTA but the minute the ink was dry they were back with more ludicrous pre-conditions.

      1. Tabulazero
        September 14, 2020

        Read the WA and the political declaration… or any declaration the EU Commission or the Member States have made since 2016 for that matter and everything is in there.

        There was no shred of a doubt as to what was in the WA when Boris signed it in a rush to win the General Election.

        1. Lynn Atkinson
          September 14, 2020

          The Remain May parliament force the situation. It’s their mess, this is the clean-up.

        2. Edward2
          September 14, 2020

          Parliament is supreme as Gina Miller’s ruling in the Supreme Court showed.
          So a UK government can pass legislation to amend existing laws or create new law.

          1. Tabulazero
            September 16, 2020

            Within domestic law, yes

            … but it’s an international treaty.

            The UK is sounding more and more like an inebriated Millwall fan:

            “No one likes us, we don’t care”

          2. Edward2
            September 17, 2020

            It isnt a treaty the clue is in the name.

            You favoure globalism and rule by unelected officials in the EU and UN
            I do not.
            If a democratic nation cannot alter, amend or scrap laws then it is not a free nation.

  33. villaking
    September 14, 2020

    Sir John, you may argue that the UK breaching an international treaty in this “limited and specific” way is far from shocking and the adverse reaction to the bill is all just from an hysterical remain establishment. I don’t agree, but even if this were so, does the fact that it prevents any FTA with the EU or the USA not affect your outlook?

    Reply I do not say that because the EU regularly breaches WTO rules and international law we should not try for an FTA with them.

    1. Protestant Saint
      September 14, 2020

      Good point and well said.

  34. Pat
    September 14, 2020

    Yet again the will of the British electorate to leave the EU, so clearly expressed in the general election, is being frustrated on the flimsiest of pretexts by the fifth column in the Conservative Party.

    If the conservatives wish to retain any credibility with the electorate, this issue cannot be fudged.

    This is a straightforward question of democracy.

  35. Colin B
    September 14, 2020

    Go Boris Go !!

    If the Internal Market Bill is not passed then surely this pushes the UK closer to a no-deal as it increases the chances of repudiating the WA now that the EU have irrefutably shown their true colours and objectives. The EU have clearly broken the terms of the WA and natural justice is on the side of the UK. The UK has the moral right to redefine the terms of any agreement.

    The moral outrage of the non-sayers from the media, remainers and the two odd fellows is just propaganda. The only thing of importance is that the whole of the UK is protected from malignant forces from both outside and from within. Support for this Bill is imperative for Unionists and caring neighbours. A vote against the Bill is a vote against the prosperity of the UK. Politicking would be unforgiveable.

  36. ukretired123
    September 14, 2020

    The EU are behaving like control freaks with their fake news and views.

    1. Protestant Saint
      September 14, 2020

      Which are your news sources? Links please.

      1. Lynn Atkinson
        September 14, 2020

        Primary sources. Have you seen the ERG report?

        1. bill brown
          September 15, 2020

          Lynn Atkinson

          Most of it isa load of projectinist nonsense not in reality

      2. ukretired123
        September 14, 2020

        The last 4 years and 45 years before that for a track record.
        Just like Greece Ireland Netherlands all had their arms twisted.
        Not a trivial matter if you care to check up your high moral tone “Saint” who?

  37. Paul Cohen
    September 14, 2020

    The Marr program Sunday was a disgrace! and the main intent was to undermine Justice Secretary Buckland . Here was the usual Marr trying wheedling, goading and repetitive questions a la Paxman trying to get some admission or other in order to pre-empt his resignation. The Irish PM was much better at fending off (less hostile) questions, reducing Marr to a quivering wreck.

    When are we to hear of the Andrew Marr resignation?

  38. Iain Moore
    September 14, 2020

    The Government gave the Reaminers and MSM , ably assisted by Brandon Lewis, a club with which to hit them, having gone to ground and not defended their policy they now find a momentum has been built up so much so that every wet Tory is emboldened to have their say , and now it’s unlikely they will ever get a hearing for their Bill. How stupid is that? Is this what they call Government business planning and media management?

  39. Ian @Barkham
    September 14, 2020

    On Guido this morning – https://order-order.com/2020/09/14/read-in-full-erg-briefing-note-to-mps-on-internal-market-bill/

    The outline is a briefing from the ERG which in essence points out the UK Internal Market Bill as necessary to protect the integrity of the UK. It protects the UK for when the EU would have itself breached the Withdrawal Agreement, specifically the Article 184 obligation to negotiate in good faith and use best endeavours to reach a trade agreement by the end of the transition period.

    On current form we know the EU’s intention is to break the spirit of the WA to ensure the break up of the UK. May, Major and Blair are obviously co-conspirators in the endeavor. Some people keep showing how much the hate the UK and Democracy if they aren’t seen as being in charge.

    Sir John, please keep the faith for all of us and what this country means, and thank you.

    1. Lennon
      September 14, 2020

      Michael Howard, Geoffrey Cox and Norman Lamont in on this conspiracy too. Goes deep! In fact, everyone who read the WA before agreeing to it knew what it meant, ie that Boris agreed to a border between GB and NI. Pity the ERG didn’t have time to read it, too busy frothing about sovereignty I expect

      1. Edward2
        September 14, 2020

        Let’s have a vote.

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      +1 and thanks to Christopher Howarth. ERG Secretary. Young man from the north!

      1. bill brown
        September 15, 2020

        Lynn Atkinson

        All nations are being fined by the WTO also the US again and again for their protectionist policies

        1. Edward2
          September 15, 2020

          All nations are being fined by the WTO….wow who knew?
          Not seen anything in the media about this bill.

          Any facts?
          Thanks

          1. bill brown
            September 16, 2020

            Edward 2

            Look it up

          2. Edward2
            September 17, 2020

            All nations?
            What have they all done so wrong bill?

          3. Edward2
            September 17, 2020

            So I went onto the WTO website bill.
            21 different nations have cases listed as disputes against them by other nations.
            But I couldn’t see any list of fines being charged against them nor the other 120 plus nations you claimed.
            Can you help?
            Thanks

  40. John E
    September 14, 2020

    Covid testing is still unavailable in Wokingham. The website just says they are too busy, try later.

    I’ve caught whatever my daughter has that she can’t get tested for either. Her husband is a key worker and can’t get tested. I’m one of the 4 million or so people contributing to the Kings College / Zoe tracking project so they sent me an e-mail asking me to get tested. They have agreed with the authorities that I should register as a priority to be tested but still no test availability whatsoever.

    Reply Yes, there is a shortage. I h ave asked Ministers to do more to remedy Public Health England’s lack of tests. It is government policy to want more and to pay for them.

  41. Everhopeful
    September 14, 2020

    I think I read that the EU has just been fined $ 7 1/2 BILLION for illegal state aid to Airbus!
    Don’t hear Major or Blair mentioning THAT.
    If EU had been negotiating with us in good faith as laid down in WA we would not be in this situation.
    Not to mention the MPs who are only loyal to an increasingly hostile foreign power.
    Why?

    1. Protestant Saint
      September 14, 2020

      What case are you poking at? Give us a link. Otherwise, I’m quite certain that you confuse something here. If the EU is going on against state aid, it shows what they are: a rules-based organisation.

      1. Jiminyjim
        September 14, 2020

        They are a rules based organisation that breaks their own and others’ rules routinely, when it suits them. And what a classic Remainer pitch that Everhopeful is confused. A simple Google search on Airbus being fined for breach of the law provides multiple links to the WTO’s case against Airbus, which was supported in its actions not only by the EU, but by several EU countries. You need to be more informed to make such allegations

        1. bill brown
          September 14, 2020

          Jiminyjim

          Now that you are add it look up Boeing at the same time, same problem

          1. Lynn Atkinson
            September 14, 2020

            The USA are not part of the Protectionist EU. Look up the fines levied on Siemens for cheating and lying, look up German car manufacturers re MPG. On and on.

      2. Caterpillar
        September 14, 2020

        Protestant Saint,

        What? You could not have missed this. It is a record WTO ruling allowing US to retaliate with tariffs on the EU Airbus nations (which sadly drags the UK into it).

  42. graham1946
    September 14, 2020

    It is surely a simple matter – why should the EU, after December 31st. have any say in what goods are moved within the boundaries of the UK? If they are worried about smuggling, then it is for them to deal with that, we can assist, but really, the amount that goes over the Irish border is so insignificant in the scheme of things, that if that will damage their internal market, then the internal market is not up to much. We also will have an internal market that must not be interfered with by foreigners.

    The PM and advisors in their rush to get a deal were wrong not to see what would happen if we gave the EU any gaps at all, but a mistake cannot be forever observed by the British people. I know that the PM is trying to put pressure on the EU to be sensible, but they won’t. Far better to just let the clock run down. Once we have withdrawn fully surely there is no need for the WA at all and we shall see what the EU does in January. If they try to interfere by for instance trying to stop us sending food to Northern Ireland, then with the sympathy of the world we can bin the WA altogether as a historical artifact which has no further relevance.

  43. jerry
    September 14, 2020

    Indeed Sir John, Indeed…

    Also let us not forget the fundamentals of the UN, even if the UK was acting ‘unlawfully’ in breaking with the terms of the WA, when the EU is trying to shackle the UK to a set of laws the people voted to reject – the UN is very clear, an act of national self determination over-rides such treaty laws.

    Are Europhiles really implying that those brave country in the 1990s should have been prevented from breaking away from the USSR, do these Europhiles not understand their bleating simply gives credence to those who claim that the EU acts more like the USSR, the EUSSR!

    1. Protestant Saint
      September 14, 2020

      The former countries of the USSR joined the EU quite willingly and are quite happy about it. It brought them prosperity. Just read up the economic case of Poland: https://www.britannica.com/place/Poland/Economy

      1. Caterpillar
        September 14, 2020

        Protestant Saint,

        Prior to its EU era, the Polish people had to ‘fight’ against Communism, the period from Mikolajczyk having to flee through to Mazowiecki’s premiership was one of communist power and control, including the multiple imprisoning of Kuron and later the Solidarity leaders. Indeed, eventually this did lead to a democratic Poland then able to choose to join the EU, but people had to struggle to get to that stage first.

        In the case of the U.K., it held a referendum to decide where the country wanted to be. The politicians task is simply to complete the journey.

        Anyway, I didn’t see Jerry referring to Poland, but rather to the dissolution of the USSR, presumably the Parade of Sovereignties. The U.K. is trying to be a parade of one! Others may or may not follow.

      2. jerry
        September 14, 2020

        @Protestant Saint; Poland wasn’t ever a part of the USSR!

        You missed my point completely, never mind having any understanding about the difference between the USSR and the “Warsaw Pact”. If no lawful international treaty can be broken (unilaterally) then Lithuania, Georgia, Estonia nor Latvia (to list 4 of 17), all currently sovereign nations, could have left the USSR.

        According to the current europhile rhetoric, those ex USSR countries who have since joined the EU must have joined illegally, for they have never had the independent authority to do so! 😛

        1. Edward2
          September 15, 2020

          “Poland was part of the USSR from August 16th 1945”
          Source
          History of Poland (1945 -1989) Wikipedia

  44. Sea Warrior
    September 14, 2020

    ‘The UK’s international reputation as a sovereign nation needs this UK Single market Bill.’ There, fixed the title for you. 🙂

  45. Fred H
    September 14, 2020

    OFF TOPIC.

    GP practices are being told they must make sure patients can be seen face to face when they need such appointments.

    NHS England is writing to all practices to make sure they are communicating the fact doctors can be seen in person if necessary, as well as virtually.
    It’s estimated half of the 102 million appointments from March to July were by video or phone call, NHS Digital said.
    The Royal College of GPs said any implication GPs had not been doing their job properly was “an insult”. Well they would say that, wouldn’t they!

    1. glen cullen
      September 14, 2020

      GPs have still been taking the money – patient or no patient

    2. Fred H
      September 14, 2020

      I seriously believe the future general diagnostic of a patient seeking advice should be done by internet request of a computer diagnostic system. It would be immediate after questioning, actually pay attention and not interrupt, and if unsure what to indicate could refer on to a consultant human. This would be quite rare.
      Bye Bye GPs…..

      1. glen cullen
        September 15, 2020

        And get rid of medical prescriptions the only power doctors have – buy your own meds

  46. Christine Marland
    September 14, 2020

    Please would Conservative mps comment, debate and challenge the Rule of Six, Covid Marshalls and Malthouse’s comments today on snitching on your neighbour.
    If really needed possibly Rule of Eight and children exempted. I understand there is huge commotion re Brexit and your articles are vital and important, but this Rule of Six is depressing, insidious and affecting the fabric of British society.

    1. Zorro
      September 14, 2020

      Figures for today – there is no need for any rule now. These Rules are totalitarian and anti-British they must be opposed at every turn…..

      Tested – 371,125
      Negative – 368,504
      Positive – 2,621 (0.7%)

      Patients admitted to hospital – 141
      Deaths – 9 (0.00001%)

      Zorro

      1. glen cullen
        September 15, 2020

        +1

    2. Anonymous
      September 14, 2020

      +1

  47. Original Richard
    September 14, 2020

    Why do we have ex PMs, ex MPs, even existing MPs and many in the governing Establishment still supporting the EU and wishing to give away our sovereign rights despite the nation consistently voting to leave the EU and thus be in full control of our laws, borders, assets (fishing grounds) and policies ((trade, fiscal, taxation, energy, environmental, foreign, military, immigration etc.)?

    The EU, by demanding that we must subject ourselves to their laws, policies and standards adjudicated by their political courts and give up our sovereignty over our assets (fishing grounds) in order to obtain a trade deal, is in blatant contravention of UN Resolution 3281 Article 32 which states:

    “No State may use or encourage the use of economic, political or any other type of measures to coerce another State in order to obtain from it the subordination of the exercise of its sovereign rights.”

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      Because they are paid or are ethnically ‘not British’, and doing the best they can for their own people, which means allowing them to immigrate to the UK unimpeded.

  48. BOF
    September 14, 2020

    OT. I wish you would give us your thoughts on the UK being tipped into a totalitarian state which now seems to be the opinion of a very large number of conservative thinking people whose comments I have read and from people I know.

  49. Nigl
    September 14, 2020

    I see Stephen Hammond may vote against. This has zero to do with anything other than protecting his voting backside.

    The snooty burghers of Wimbledon have little in common (nopun etc) with most of the rest of the country indeed I suspect they would look down their liberal elite noses.

  50. Iain Gill
    September 14, 2020

    I see NHS staff and their families are getting Covid tests before everyone else in the queue.

    This Stalinist some are more equal than others NHS non health service is getting beyond a joke.

    1. Sea Warrior
      September 14, 2020

      Just received news that an elderly member of my family is on her way to hospital. She hadn’t been able to secure any support from her GP!

    2. M Brandreth- Jones
      September 14, 2020

      It may be because as a percentage they see more ill people than others therefore come into potential contact with covid sufferers which they can pass on to the the vulnerable groups who are also seen by the NHS but this group should include care homes
      How many people did you see with infections last week?

  51. Christine
    September 14, 2020

    It’s the usual suspects speaking out against the Government and trying to damage our Brexit negotiations. They will never give up and you have to question the real motives of these people. I expect it down to money and nothing else. What the UK gets out of the WA and PD beats me. I do wonder why Boris ever signed it in the first place. We know from experience that the EU can’t be trusted. Anything that leaves us tied to EU control is not Brexit and must be resisted else we will pay the price later on.

  52. Ian @Barkham
    September 14, 2020

    Calling people out is not usually the British way – Geoffrey Cox: Honour rests on keeping our word. Is that the same Geoffrey Cox that now says he supported honouring the Brexit Vote of a ‘Clean Break’. Is that the same Geoffrey Cox that in 2018 stated the Northern Irish “backstop” would effectively lock the UK into a customs union with the EU.

    It is that last point he is trying to ensure is secured. He along with others are trying to ensure the UK remains a vassal state. If that is the case why do we have a Parliament fill it with MP’s just so we can be ordered around by what is proving to be a Dictatorship.

    1. Lennon
      September 14, 2020

      It’s Boris’s deal. The ovenready deal that he won the election on last December. The deal for which every Tory MP with their majority of 80 voted for this January. The deal that put a border in the Irish Sea. Stop blaming the EU, Mr Cox, etc, if you don’t like this deal take it up with the electors who approved it in the General Election

    2. Mark B
      September 14, 2020

      Well said.

  53. Rhoddas
    September 14, 2020

    Whilst Parliament votes to criminalise more than 6 people gathering, remainiacs cry about freeing us from chains of EU…

  54. Protestant Saint
    September 14, 2020

    This is such a bizarre piece of writing. Always helps to play up to your own echo chamber but is very selective when it comes to facts and the truth, eh? Be careful for which crowd you’re playing. Because from a look in this comment section, nothing will ever be good enough for whom Brexit is a cult.

    For example, the countries that go around the EU or WTO (Which ones? When?) are in part of legal battles. This is something entirely different than a country that admits willingly to break a treaty it itself signed before any action is going to happen.
    Of course the other countries will look at that – and think what the heck you are doing?

    1. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      Cult?
      Just wanting the UK to be a free democratic independent nation?
      Amazed you want the UK to be anything else.

      1. bill brown
        September 15, 2020

        Edward2

        It already is a free democratic independent nation

        1. Edward2
          September 15, 2020

          How can it be?
          It is a member of the EU.
          Its laws are supreme in most of the important areas.

          But not for much longer.

  55. ian
    September 14, 2020

    As I and the world look on we are watching to see if the UK union leaves as it went into the EU union or leaving as GB with no international waters and pay money to the EU for the privilege of leaving while leaving over half of the UK union stated territory behind and in the hands of the EU which can then offer Scotland a sum of money to leave England and Wales.

    If this is the case then England parliament should throw Scotland into the deal now as well otherwise the EU will be back for more and all this trouble will start again, so it all or nothing.

  56. M Brandreth- Jones
    September 14, 2020

    I cannot speak for the rest of the world and the ‘theys’ and in fact I am not happy about the people want this , the people want that approach, however it would seem a silly step not to be free to set out own terms and encumber everyone else with more unnecessary links in the chain of trade.

  57. Rhoddas
    September 14, 2020

    It’s unfortunate Brandon Lewis gave his remainery ‘view’ that we are about to breach an international treaty – quite appalling really and he should resign or be sacked imho.

    If HMG had communicated better with stakeholders and UK people that the EU are negotiating FTA in ‘bad faith’, thus already in breach of the WA and PD, example A, B, C.

    Ergo we need to take perfectly legal steps to protect our Union, in the absence of an acceptable FTA…. and hence the temporary WA falls away, no Eur39bn payment etc.

    Please ask the Cabinet to get their ‘ducks in a row’ when it comes to communications, perception is often even more important as the legalities on occasion, having to row back so hard from Brandon’s error should have been unnecessary.

    My best for the vote tonight, the silent majority and red wall are with you.

    1. agricola
      September 14, 2020

      Do you think that Brandon Lewis was a deliberate plant, put up to concentrate the minds of the EU. The EU quite possibly do not yet believe that we are intent on leaving without a deal, if they fail to agree an FTA. Maybe he was the first step to make the EU realise that we do not consider WTO rules as onerous as they think. After all 60% of our trade is to WTO rules and based on the UK/EU balance of trade we are £5 billion better off duty wise. Quite possibly a failed FTA leaves us not paying that muted £30 billion divorce bill, or whatever the figure was.

      The BL statement may not have been as ill timed as it first appeared.

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      +1

  58. Mitchell MacKenzie
    September 14, 2020

    Those who worry about international law or Treaty obligations should explain why the EU does not always accept WTO judgements and rulings when as a signatory to that Treaty it should.

    Let us hope the UK’s legal advisors can come up with a few more convincing arguments than this, should it come to it. This whole charade is embarrassing enough without being laughed out of court.

    1. Robert Mcdonald
      September 14, 2020

      Seems a convincing argument to me, precedent has been set by the eurocracy.

    2. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      What court?
      The Supreme Court has recently confirmed that the UK Parliament is supreme and can make and amend laws.

    3. Ian@Barkham
      September 14, 2020

      The EU are the law and the ECJ is their political instrument that does what they are told

  59. Jack Falstaff
    September 14, 2020

    What a peach of an opportunity to drive no less than five excruciatingly irritating former Prime Ministers into the abyss of total irrelevance in one fell swoop!

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      Only they are unaware that that is their position already.

    2. Fred H
      September 14, 2020

      It just goes to show what crass incompetence and ill feeling remaining after we got rid.

      They all still think they are held in respect, when the opposite is true!

  60. SmartAlec
    September 14, 2020

    Whatever happened to “Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed”

    1. Ian@Barkham
      September 14, 2020

      The EU changes/bends whatever it says to suit their aspirations

    2. glen cullen
      September 14, 2020

      Thats sooooo last year

      MPs have been elected, they’re secure for 5 years, so old committments mean nothing

    3. Mark B
      September 15, 2020

      The same as, “We will respect your decision, whatever you decide.”

      David Cameron

  61. glen cullen
    September 14, 2020

    All these issues and problems stem from attempting to make a deal (WA & PD) with the EU

    Rescind the WA & PD go WTO, problem solved

    1. Ian@Barkham
      September 14, 2020

      +1

    2. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      +1 we need to move on, we have other issues to deal with (lockdown etc).

    3. steve
      September 14, 2020

      “Rescind the WA & PD go WTO, problem solved”

      Exactly Glenn. +1

  62. George Brooks.
    September 14, 2020

    Right from the outset the EU has never accepted that we really wanted to leave and they have introduced a series of difficulties and threats throughout the last 4 years not only to dissuade us but also convince other States not to try. Now that they understand from Lord Frost that we are leaving they have stooped into the ”dishonest dirty tricks department” and been rumbled.

    We now have an orchestrated campaign by a bunch of disingenuous ardent ‘Remainers’ leaping up and down about the possibility of us infringing International law. This two-faced lot reckon it is perfectly OK to try every trick in book to overturn the result of a democratically held referendum but it is NOT OK to put in place protection against the EU making further attempts to stop us leaving.

    Offer us a Canada style FTA and no one breaks any laws

    1. Ian@Barkham
      September 14, 2020

      The ‘Clean Breaks we voted for also breaks no laws. The dishonesty is on going since the BRINO crowd gave the EU confidence to assume it was alright for them to keep the UK as vassal state

  63. Ian
    September 14, 2020

    Oh dear these ghastly old twits they are so vain so vain, they can not see and there egos will not let them think any other way.
    They sold us down the river in order to get praise from the EU, which to them was worth more than doing right by the people of these islands .
    I have to say again, people such as this, no matter there position in society they must be punished for there crime Gross betrayal must have a cost to those who abused this Nation,

    1. steve
      September 14, 2020

      Ian

      “I have to say again, people such as this, no matter there position in society they must be punished…”

      Ian, at one time their treachery would have cost them their lives.

      Sometimes progress isn’t such a good thing, in my opinion.

  64. Dougg
    September 14, 2020

    Dave Camrron and others are talking about keeping our eyes on the big pr- ize- an FTA with the EU but we didn’t vote for a FTA with anybody- we just voted to leave- we did not vote to trade with WTO rules either- if the politicians cannot follow simple democratic wishes of the people then I’m afraid the people will have no choice but to assert their wishes in a different way

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 14, 2020

      Yes. The People will win. It was predicted by Enoch. It will come to pass one way or the other.

  65. blake
    September 14, 2020

    Am listening to Boris’s opening statement- as are EU types- I have no doubt but strange to hear him asserting the danger of the EU drawing a border in the Irish Sea “carving up the UK” he say’s and yet the British themselves drew such a border across the island of Ireland only one hundred years ago for which we have been living with the consequences ever since?

    1. Robert Mcdonald
      September 14, 2020

      The border was necessary as southern Ireland people wanted independence, violently, but northern Ireland people did not.

    2. Sir Joe Soap
      September 14, 2020

      So he knows the dangers. Your point is?

    3. Edward2
      September 14, 2020

      And your point is….?

  66. Everhopeful
    September 14, 2020

    I note that even the Telegraph is featuring a front page photo of illegals running up the beach from their dinghy.
    Where are they going? How do they know where to go?
    What is going to be done about this?
    What is going to be done??

  67. glen cullen
    September 14, 2020

    UK daily summary (source gov.uk) Monday 14th September

    Tested – 371,125
    Negative – 368,504
    Positive – 2,621 (0.7%)

    Patients admitted to hospital – 141
    Deaths – 9 (0.00001%)

    Why are we under ‘rule of six’ and lockdown

    1. Lifelogic
      September 14, 2020

      Why indeed? They just like ordering people about – makes them feel important I assume. Meanwhile more people are dying due to the partial NHS shutdown in other areas. 9 is well under 1% of average daily deaths for all causes.

    2. Mark B
      September 15, 2020

      No answer came the stern reply 😉

    3. Alan Jutson
      September 15, 2020

      Glen

      You are correct that only 9 deaths were reported yesterday, but you simply cannot put todays deaths against todays tested positive totals, for the simple reason there is a delay between testing positive, hospitalisation, and eventual death.

      Look at the hospitalisations in three weeks time, and the number who have died in 6 weeks time, and you will get a more accurate feedback against yesterdays infection rate.

      The whole reason that lockdown did not work immediately or as well as expected was simply because we already had a six week build up of infected people, many of whom who were steadily getting more and more desperately ill, already in the pipeline at the time.

      At least now the Government is looking at the infection rate as the indicator, and not the death rate, which is certainly a more sensible indicator.

  68. Fred H
    September 14, 2020

    from BBC website:
    The government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has said he was rebuked for arguing strongly in favour of imposing Covid lockdown restrictions earlier this year, it has emerged. In an email uncovered by a BBC Freedom of Information request, Sir Patrick reveals he was given a “telling off” from other senior officials.It’s not known when the “telling off” occurred, but speaking to Parliament’s science and technology committee in July, Sir Patrick referred to advice given by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on 16 March for “additional social-distancing measures” to be implemented “as soon as possible”.
    A full lockdown was not introduced until 23 March. It’s now thought the number of cases rose dramatically in the period just before that. In the email, Sir Patrick writes that he “argued stronger than anyone for action for lockdown” but received a “telling off” from chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and the then Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill. Sir Patrick and Prof Whitty regularly appeared at news conferences together updating the public on measures taken to combat coronavirus, without noticeably disagreeing.
    On 16 March, the government issued advice “against all unnecessary social contact with others and unnecessary travel” including warnings to avoid pubs, bars and restaurants. However, premises were not ordered to close until 20 March, whilst on 23 March a full lockdown was introduced.

    the truth will have out.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 14, 2020

      Had they locked down a week or so earlier it would have saved many lives. Delaying the spread of the infection (even if these people did catch it later) was well worth doing. This as deaths now are under 1% (of infected patients) rather than the 14% they were earlier. There is little reason for anything beyond sensible voluntary action now the rule of 6 is completely over the top at this stage.

      1. Caterpillar
        September 15, 2020

        Do we have evidence that a week earlier would have saved more? Presumably care home protection would still have been inadequate (there remain concerns now) and presumably hospital transmission would still be taking place.

  69. Lindsay McDougall
    September 14, 2020

    Suppose we told M Barnier that unless he negotiates a trade deal that fully respects UK sovereignty, we will withdraw recognition of the European Commission on 1st January and thenceforth negotiate only with individual Member States. Who would crumble then?

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 15, 2020

      The Member states have no authority to negotiate trade deals. That’s the point. They ‘don’t exist!’ Some of them did not know that. Brexit is a learning exercise for many still entangled in the EU web.

  70. steve
    September 14, 2020

    JR

    ” They are not yet explaining that the EU is not observing the parts of the Agreement they do not like”

    JR certainly from public’s position we have nothing better than pro EU biased media. No surprise therefore that we rely on internet based news for government explanations etc.

    We could, be better informed of government business if the media wasn’t behaving like a bunch of remain cry babies.

    Thank heavens we have sites like yours and those of Mahyar Tousi, ConWoman, Jeff Taylor et al.

  71. Kristo
    September 14, 2020

    Have to say Ed Milliband stole the show today. I have absolutely no idea where Boris thinks he’s going with this- the EU side will just wait until after the next UK Govt’s in place in a few years time then maybe talks might resume at a low level. In the meantime we can forget about a Canada deal- such a deal requires partners working together with trust and confidence.

    1. steve
      September 15, 2020

      Have to say Ed Milliband stole the show today

      ….Wallace & Grommet show.

  72. beresford
    September 14, 2020

    It occurs to me that as long as Boris doesn’t lose his nerve we will know in five weeks time whether the EU is prepared to make a reasonable FTA with us or not. So why are we having this discussion now? We can even draw up and proffer a skeleton FTA for the EU to ‘angrily’ reject out of hand so that the tail is pinned on the EU donkey. If the EU don’t want a deal (and that is their right) then the Remoaner fox of ‘we must negotiate a deal’ is shot and the case for these special powers will be a lot easier to make.

  73. turboterrier
    September 14, 2020

    The London Evening Standard reports tonight of a tory rebellion against the proposed changes to the Withdrawal Bill. Fine as it is their rights long as they resign from parliament the following morning. They all stood at the election to get Brexitdone. The country has had enough. No more playing games, support the government or resign and fight a new by election.

    1. Fred H
      September 15, 2020

      better still – DON’T fight a by-election, just resign !

  74. Edward2
    September 14, 2020

    A healthy majority of 77.
    So not the rebellion all you EU ultras predicted.

    Onwards to an independent free democratic nation.
    Where MPs voted in by us the voters, make our laws which no supra national quango or foreign court can ever put aside.
    I’ve waited over 40 years for this moment.

    And I would like to thank Sir John and his fellow colleagues for decades of hard work to get to this point.
    Heroes all.

    1. Lynn Atkinson
      September 15, 2020

      +1!

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