There is a Statutory Instrument on the order paper for the Commons to debate and approve on Wednesday concerning the so called Stormont brake. This is putting the cart before the horse. Parliament first needs to have a full debate on the draft Agreement. I reproduced yesterday some of the questions the European Scrutiny Committee poses over this complex set of changes to our constitution. I have set out before on this site my own concerns about what has been agreed.
The government has still to tell us which EU laws will apply in Northern Ireland, how wide ranging the powers of the European Court of Justice will be, what limits are placed on our ability to impose VAT and Excise taxes, why EU law on many items applies to trade between GB and NI and why it applies to factories and farms in the province not exporting to the EU. They have not yet released the forms traders will need to fill in to send goods from GB to NI or what are the terms of the trusted trader scheme which shippers will need to join and follow.
The brake itself is a burdensome arrangement. If two parties and the requisite number of NI Assembly members want to apply it, the UK government then has to decide if the criteria are met to allow its use and if they wish to use it, bearing in mind the ability of the EU to take retaliatory action. I can imagine UK government lawyers and officials urging caution any time some politicians wished to use the brake. When the EU built up the number of areas that could proceed by majority voting rather than unanimity in the EU we were always told there was the Luxembourg Compromise. This was a self styled emergency brake which we could apply to an item we disagreed with which had gained the necessary majority to become law. The UK never used it and in due course it was deemed to no longer exist. When I wanted to use it as the UK’s single market Minister I was blocked from doing so. If we had enjoyed an effective legislative brake on laws we did not like we would probably still be in the EU today. Instead the railroading of laws onto us was one of the main reasons we voted to leave.
The Protocol should not be embedded into UK and international law. The Agreement looks as if it leaves too many EU laws applying to NI, still places obstacles in the way of GB to NI internal trade and does not allow us either a veto over laws nor a unilateral way out of this worrying Agreement.
March 20, 2023
Good morning.
Whatever happened to, “No deal is better than a bad deal” ?
The source of all our problems has been the UK Parliament and Whitehall. We are a divided nation (the governing class on one side, and the governed on the other) and, like all divided nations, we will fall.
I think it is time Ulster had a referendum on joining the RoI. If they did that there would be little else for the EU to hold over us, although they might try the same trick with Gib’ and the Channel Islands 😉
March 20, 2023
And Scotland, and Wales, and Kent …..
March 20, 2023
@Lynn A; Non of who have a land boarder with the EU, unlike Ni and Gib’, your point being what?
March 20, 2023
The whole U.K. did not have a land border with the EU! Does Ireland have a ‘land border with the EU? They still took it!
London is represented in an EU country’s Parliament – the French one. Does France have a land border with London?
What is your point – that the EU/NATO is not an aggressive, expansionist, nation destroying entity?
March 20, 2023
@Lynn A: “What is your point – that the EU/NATO is not an aggressive, expansionist, nation destroying entity?”
Not at all, well no more than the UK its self has been in the past, nice to know you so hate your own countries history, or do you only object to others Empire building!
The UK was a founding member of NATO along with France and, post WW2, Winston Churchill implored the free western European nations to create what because the EEC. I think you either (conveniently) forget, or do not understand, just how much influence the UK has had in European affairs during the last 70 odd years, indeed the blueprint for the modern EU (with its single market etc at its core) was drawn up by UK senior Civil Servant, at the behest on Mrs Thatcher.
March 20, 2023
Humour Jerry?
March 22, 2023
JH, I think Jerry has more grasp of EU history than you have (or possibly will ever have).
But do not worry too much you are in good company on this blog.
March 20, 2023
Robert Tombs in the Telegraph yesterday. “The EU’s moral claim to exist has collapsed
The war in Ukraine has revealed it to be little more than a tool for promoting French national interests.”
Perhaps a referendum in The Republic of Ireland on leaving the EU is needed.
The last few youtube videos by Dr John Campbell are not to be missed.
March 20, 2023
@Ashley – The Republic of Ireland was only trapped in to the EU having been ordered by the EU Commission to repeat previous referenda to join the EU after coming up what was to the unelected unaccountable EU Commissions version of the wrong answer. You keep voting until you agree.
From what I know of the people of the Republic of Ireland they deserve better than what they got.
March 20, 2023
+1
March 20, 2023
The Windsor Agreement is voluntary to the EU so it can withdraw any concessions whenever it likes.
Their own briefing paper states that no significant changes have been made and I believe them
Fishy is relying on the opposition to agree with him and this is not good for the country, but these days Parliament does very little which benefit the taxpayer.
March 20, 2023
+1
March 20, 2023
John’s repetitious headings are now impossible to ironise.
March 20, 2023
What a childish response. Clearly this vital issue is beyond you.
March 20, 2023
Macunius
Totally unnecessary remarks
March 20, 2023
Oh do be quiet NLH. Stop sulking.
March 20, 2023
MB, that scenario would be fascinating to watch.
Actually, would having more referendums help all of us in the UK? Our political class is out of control. Representative democracy doesn’t work when 99% of the representatives ignore their election manifestos and work against the interests of most of the electorate. While the Brexit referendum didn’t produce the outcome it should have done, it did at least make things harder for the politicians. Would a Swiss-style System of referendums put a few more brakes on their excesses?
March 20, 2023
No. They would manipulate the questions to get the answers they want.
One of the biggest fights won by our side in Parliament was for a fair referendum: i.e not a yes/no question. JR and others were sweating blood battling away while Farage was having ‘no’ campaign merch printed. He had given up before he even started!
March 20, 2023
MB, As the Isle of Man the Channel Islands are not part of the United Kingdom, albeit British Crown Dependencies. They do not send MPs to Westminster. Some Brit ex-pats away from the UK for less than 15 years might vote in referendums and GEs but that’s all. And they had never been part of the EU.
As a British Overseas Territory Gibraltar has its own legislature.
Go back to your ‘Bergerac’ series (Charlie Hungerford might help you there) and/or learn about BCDs & BOTs.
March 20, 2023
@Mark B ‘Whatever happened to, “No deal is better than a bad deal” ‘ A Fraudulent Remain Parliament that fights and refuses their own purpose and democracy would be the best guess.
March 20, 2023
“No deal is better than a bad deal”
When the term was first mooted, I believed that it was a government protocol, I’ve now leant that it was just a PR strapline to impress the media and to plicate the leave voters
March 20, 2023
Your conclusion is absolutely correct. No Protocol, thank you very much!
The majority (against huge odds) voted to leave the EU. We didn’t have a rosy vision of the country being split into parts where EU law would prevail and where we had internal borders to our trade. The political class (with a few honourable exceptions like our host) have stitched us up, all along. They disgust me.
March 20, 2023
Once again the Globalists want to negate our democracy by tying us in to rigid international agreements and treaties which are difficult to get out of.
March 20, 2023
You demand an absolutist’s brexit, with absolute sovereignty.
Signatories to the ICC are not absolutely sovereign.
Yet – as I understand it – you also demand Tony Blair’s arraignment under that Court.
Please explain.
March 20, 2023
The ICC has nothing to do with the EU. It’s a separate scam.
March 20, 2023
Correct
March 20, 2023
I think it is perfectly possible to subscribe to an International CRIMINAL Court whilst not being in any sort of trade agreements with neighbouring countries. If someone commits war crimes, or crimes against humanity, haul them off to the ICC. What has that to do with being a sovereign country that makes its own laws?
March 20, 2023
@Wanderer +1 Yup… the real flaw is our Government along with Parliament that daily is refusing to do its job
March 20, 2023
The DUP have said they are voting against this agreement. The ERG has previously said that if the DUP voted ‘no’ so would they. Will they keep their word?
I explained the other day that the Windsor agreement is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. It is based on a filthy LIE:
It does NOT remove the Irish Sea border.
It does NOT treat the UK and EU equally.
It does NOT remove EU control over British territory.
It does NOT allow unfettered trade within the UK.
Anyone who votes in favour of this agreement (or indeed, who fails to vote against it) is clearly a TRAITOR.
Reply The ERG said no such thing. We always said we will decide how to vote on hearing our expert legal opinion, which will be published for all the see tomorrow. We also said that were the DUP to vote against that undermined one of the claims for the Agreement that i5 would allow the resumption of Stormont which would strengthen the case for voting against. I have made clear my disagreements with the text.
March 20, 2023
British Patriot
These are our closes allies and supporting the deal is not unpatriotic on the contrary
March 20, 2023
Fair enough – the report I read must have been incorrect.
But have YOU read this report, from a barrister, who claims that under the Windsor Framework, and the access it gives EU products to the UK market as a whole (not just NI) we will have to accept their insects in our food? This is just too disgusting. PLEASE STOP THIS.
March 20, 2023
Report here: https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/03/20/the-windsor-framework-a-backdoor-to-brexit-betrayal/#.ZBjMCKeGyKI.twitter
March 20, 2023
But it isn’t reported on the BBC where the science & truth is settled ….once again the media and governments misleading the story
March 20, 2023
“On Wednesday in the House of Commons following Prime Minister’s Questions, Rishi Sunak intends to subvert normal democratic Parliamentary processes and serve up the United Kingdom’s sovereignty on a silver platter to the EU Commission.”
Source: facts4eu.org
March 20, 2023
Indeed and what authority does he have to give it away it is not his. He is doing another Ted Heath without any referendum authority. Sunak a PM who was forced on to the country and his party’s members who were given no say.
Sunak who as PM told Parliament as recently 9 Dec 2022 — “Well mister speaker let me first say that I believe COVID vaccines are indeed safe and effective” this long after is was very clear indeed from overwhelming statistics they were neither safe, nor effective, nor even needed for the young even if they were. Is this not misleading parliament?
March 20, 2023
The recent few Dr John Campbell Youtube videos are not to be missed.
March 20, 2023
Thanks Ashley. Will take a look.
March 20, 2023
I spoke to someone at the weekend who is in his 80’s and had the jab. He told me that he was recently laid up ill with, guess what – COVID. He then went on to tell me how ill he was. I asked him if he had the jab and he said he did and I told him that should have prepared his body with anti-bodies able to fight the infection. Well, it did not seem to work.
I am so glad that I followed my instincts and to NEVER trust the government.
March 20, 2023
Seems as though Sunak intends to railroad this through Parliament regardless of any objections.
March 20, 2023
Some pundits, like The Spectator columnist, believe he will get away with it because there has not been much protest yet and the ‘mood music’ seems good.
We shall see.
March 20, 2023
Sunak will win with Labour votes as did Heath.
I miss Jeremy Corbyn – he got those Remainers to oppose Remaining.
Possibly the most successful Labour politician thus far.
March 20, 2023
Is Wednesday going to be another moment in history when the government of the day ignores the instructions of its people and via a back door SI, colludes with the EU to make a deal without any scrutiny
March 20, 2023
Just more admin, more cost, more tick-boxes, more pain, more control, more green, more Tory
March 20, 2023
@Radar +1 Unable to support the UK, its Democracy, the Purpose of Parliament, the UK Economy and so. The single minded purpose is to destroy the UK before he leaves and moves to greener pastures. Everyone else pays and pays big time.
March 20, 2023
@Radar; But Johnson has already done that, a country can’t surrender their sovereignty twice! The Windsor Agreement, like the original NIP, is an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
Funny how some are slagging off Sunak for doing nothing more than what Johnson did, yet not one word of criticism aimed at Johnson…
March 20, 2023
I’ve been slagging them all off equally since 2016
March 20, 2023
Oh I’ve been slagging them off long before that.
March 20, 2023
“Children who refuse to wear rain hats in constant tantrum about wet heads”
March 20, 2023
If this is an alteration to our Constitution, what Constitutional Statutes does the House have to repeal EXPLICITELY?
March 20, 2023
It is as though Northern Ireland has ceased to be part of the United Kingdom.
The BBC now reports Ireland news and Irish sport under the Northern Ireland banner
Boris had to go. Trump targeted. Democracy (our voice) is slowly being reined in and nobbled
March 20, 2023
++
As I often bang on..
They did it by demonising the right…How can a political view be per se evil?
Especially since the powers that be have worked so hard to upend Christian morality.
They removed the yardsticks and replaced them with their own berserk code.
And now we have no democracy..not even the sham one.
March 20, 2023
I would ask again, if the DUP refuse to accept this stitch up, will this still be forced on them?
The betrayal of the UK by the enemy within, our own government, with Royal assent.
March 20, 2023
Indeed with King Charles playing a part in this betrayal even before Royal Assent.
March 20, 2023
This is not a devolved matter, and the DUP made a mistake by seeking to have it treated as a devolved matter.
March 20, 2023
BOF – If the DUP refuse to accept the agreement and do not go back into Assembly then there will be no need for the ‘brake’ – so now when the Agreement is passed in the House it will be put into use with or without them – there will be no chance for using the brake then until an assembly is restored which could be years away
In the meantime it’s likely direct rule from London will follow which in a short while will bring on a border poll – it has to be because of the way demographics are going. Bottom line is Government needs the EU and the US cooperation for trade purposes, for financial dealings, control of movement of migrants etc and a whole lot more besides – that is the reality
Lastly the DUP only has relevance if it is representing people in parliament or in assembly but without Stormont their elected numbers are small enough so as to make any difference – besides Donaldson, Paisley, and Sammy Wilson etc with the rest in the Lords like Dodds etc are increasingly seen by local people in NI to being too far removed ‘too far away in London’ they are losing touch with the base – they really should have grabbed ownership of the Windsor Framework as their very own when it was first agreed – now that would have been something to crow about it would have been a real win for them – but alas that ship has sailed.
March 20, 2023
They dissemblers will try and rewrite the Belfast Agreemnt to neuter the Unionists.
March 20, 2023
It will be forced on them – the DUP know that if they stay out of the Stormont Assembly, Westminster will take over permanent direct rule with backstairs consultation with Dublin to prepare for a handover of NI financed with megabillions of English taxpayers’ money.
March 20, 2023
Mega means 10^6 therefore one megabillion means a quadrillion … the typical UK budget is around £930-950 billions of revenue, £1,050 billion of spending. Well done mancunius with your megabillions you are only a factor 1000+ wrong. Keep on the good work …
March 21, 2023
hefner, ‘megabillions’ is a well-known English colloquialism.
I take it then that English is not your first language.
March 23, 2023
I know megamillion as a colloquialism; megabillion as a colloquialism is news to me, but Berkshire might not be at the forefront for this type of tradition in the English language.
March 20, 2023
If the DUP refuse to accept the agreement and stay out of the Assembly the working of the agreement will still go ahead without them – but of course without the ‘brake’
After that there will probably be direct rule from London but that situation cannot continue for very long because of likely trouble on the land border from various groups. So to save the GFA government will have to bring forward a border poll much earlier than might be expected – the very thing DUP wanted to avoid – a terrible mess.
March 20, 2023
What about the people of NI.
They are like a conquered nation waiting to hear their fate.
We have all been treated so ( especially) badly since 2016.
And I discern no desire on govt.’s part to improve the situation.
March 20, 2023
And that’s the nub of it; I don’t believe the governments of the UK and the EU actually care about NI, its people, their voice, their desire, their wants
March 20, 2023
+1
March 20, 2023
The people of NI have been reading the writing on the wall for some time and moving to the mainland. That’s why the critical votes are missing.
March 21, 2023
Yes Lynn young people especially Unionists have been moving to GB for decades now for their university years with very few returning afterwards to NI – they start work careers in GB and meet lifetime partners and that’s it. On top of this a lot of the older retired police, army, civil servants judges etc together with their families leave NI upon retirement – for obvious reasons – thus leaving behind the politicians and the homebirds who will never go anywhere anyway and so the critical votes are dwindling.
March 20, 2023
I despair, I simply despair at the way this Country is now being driven by politicians who have no backbone to stand up to foreign powers intent on undermining our own ability to govern ourselves in our own Country.
What is the point of Parliament, and us even having elections, if we are simply going to do the EU’s bidding for them.
I have said before in many posts that I believe Ireland will eventually become re united, this suspect agreement and the one before that, appears to be almost a halfway house in that process.
The stupidity if we wanted to retain Northern Ireland within the UK, was to agree to a different set of rules for it in the first place.
March 20, 2023
The only time Ireland was united was when the whole was part of the UK. Before that it was a collection of disparate kingdoms. This idea of a re-united Ireland is a delusion of Sinn Fein.
March 20, 2023
”DUBLIN – Citizens of the Republic of Ireland will happily take Northern Ireland off Britain’s hands – but only if they don’t have to pay the bill, a new poll reveals.” ….and no one from the south ever goes north on holiday
March 20, 2023
Just when you thought that the Tories couldn’t come up with any more crazy ideas – BBC reporting that every property will have six (6) separate bins to aid recycling, no wonder my council tax is rising 5% ….our streets are going to look like refuse sites
March 20, 2023
Glen
Indeed, the so called street scene will be dominated by bright Multicoloured bins, you cannot take a wheely bin indoors to hide it.
So they will simply stand outside the front of your house, making a mockery of planning permission, a family members house is mid terrace and just 3.5 metres wide, three wheely bins will simply dominate the front appearance of the property taking up half the width of the house.
Wokingham are planning to use bright light blue bins for refuse, brown for garden waste, Grey for food waste, and green bags for recycling (which does not include bottles)
March 20, 2023
And on top of all the bins, soon you’ll have electrical cables draped everywhere across the streets to charge EVs, and drones doing local deliveries …you’ll never be able to leave your house without a risk-assessment
March 20, 2023
This sounds like another Chequers. There’s something fishy going on and my concerns about Sunak seem to be justified and coming to fruition. We need to ditch this protocol and ditch him. He was instrumental in getting rid of Boris and he wasn’t elected by the members.
March 20, 2023
It has been described as “Chequers for Northern Ireland”.
March 20, 2023
Plus he was an appalling Chancellor who created all the current inflation with his currency debasement and economic problems and wants to destroy growth with his 25% CT rates and vast other tax grabs so he can waste the money on HS2 and the net zero insanities.
He is even so daft that he still thinks the Covid Vaccines were/are “Safe and Effective”! This despite all the vast evidence available that proved otherwise.
March 20, 2023
Agreed. He is a Trojan Horse working for EU interests.
March 20, 2023
A least the Greek Trojan Horse attempted some deception ….this SI is ‘in-your-face’ undemocratic
March 20, 2023
This flawed protocol is one of many reasons the UK’s public will give the Conservatives a drubbing come election time. Other than the vaccine, I cannot recall anything having been achieved in their thirteen years of office. Inflation, days lost to strikes, illegal immigration, cost of living…all up. HS2 hugely over budget, power generation and storage at dangerous level, highest taxation in decades, armed forces more than decimated, cultural genocide increasing as wokery infects every layer of government.
Other than for a few MP’s like yourself shouting into the gathering storm, with a track record like that, remind us why anyone should believe Sunak’s promises or even vote Conservative? God help you if Farage heads up the Reform party again.
March 20, 2023
………….God help you if Farage heads up the Reform Party again………….NO. God help us if he doesn’t. The Tory’s have the worst track record in history and fight for the other side. Treason May anyone?
March 20, 2023
Farage has a worse track record than the Tories. He created more ex-members than the two main parties combined. He surrendered the Referendum before a vote was counted. And stated that he would not accept the result! He said ‘Trump was dangerous’ before spying a chance to grab some limelight and hopefully some of Trumps billions.
Nobody can work with the man.
And there is much more……
March 20, 2023
The Reform Party are skint. It’s only payments from Tice himself that enable them to continue. Hence their low profile.
So I would not bank on them riding to the rescue.
The Conservatives party do need to be consigned to history, like The Whigs and Liberals, but there will be turmoil before anything worthwhile emerges.
The consolation is that Labour are broken and will get bogged down fighting amongst themselves when they do take power. Obviously, they can still do further damage though.
March 20, 2023
Spot On
March 20, 2023
Shouting loud and clear, come back Farage.
March 20, 2023
Even he can’t face yet another defeat and all those MEPs who has to resign. You could not believe the UKIP selection process was worse than those of the major parties, but they managed it by taking highest bids for position on the party lists (the top two are very expensive because they expect to win.)
March 20, 2023
Perhaps I may be looking at this too simplistically, but it does seem odd to me that as things stand N.Ireland is supposed to be a part of Britain.
Britain was supposed to have left the EU and its order/directives etc behind.
I’m not sure then how it can have such a huge say in how a supposedly independent nation trades with its own self.
I suppose there comes a time in every underhand scheme when its true colours just cannot be hidden anymore.
March 20, 2023
The EU’s own map shows Northern Ireland as part of the UK and not part of the EU:
https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/embed_large/public/2021-09/european-map_en_0.jpg?itok=-nTX1Hyb
March 20, 2023
Why can’t Ireland trade with a border in the Irish sea? Why should it always be us that pay with no say and all compromise. Just say no to the EU. Let them grow some balls to stand up for the UK in all its parts. If not, get out and let a patriotic party in. We need Reform and rid of the Snake.
March 20, 2023
The whole point of the NI Protocol for the EU (and UK Treacherous Class) was to hold the Province hostage so that the UK could not significantly diverge from EU Law/Regulations.
Sunak’s Stitch-Up is just the next stage in the process – and of course they insist the deal will be embedded in International Law because that will make it incredibly difficult to change, let alone abandon (rather like the ECHR).
The Treacherous Class intends that, in due course, we will join the outer tier of the EU …. along with the likes of Turkey, the remaining EFTA members, Ukraine (and probably in due course the N.African countries bordering the Med).
And STILL the Not-a-Conservative-Party will claim it “delivered Brexit” …. when it has done no such thing.
March 20, 2023
In my view, the Windsor Framework could only be concluded as the UK wants to become a trusted player under international law again. After all, the world is watching. The Windsor Framework is recognised as a great improvement on the N.i. protocol, only signed “yesterday”.
If after Wednesday further improvements appear necessary in practice, they can only be expected in the current improving atmosphere between the UK and the EU.
March 20, 2023
The world is watching – watching out in their own corner to ensure they maintain their own gravy train of corruption, clamping down on dissent in fear of a coup. They really don’t care tuppence about the EU and UK.
March 20, 2023
Peter, it is the EU which needs to become a trusted player under international law. And certain countries within the EU which I won’t name.
March 20, 2023
@ rose: if such is the case you have a point. Although I’m sure that the EU strives to uphold and comply with international law.
March 20, 2023
You appreciate that International law is very clear: no annexation or territorial acquisition, or the jeopardising sovereignty over a part of the land of one of the contracting parties can be made using Treaty law because such a procedure would indicate coercion of one party of the treaty by the other, thus voiding the Treaty.
No contract stands if it is entered into under duress.
In addition your own Treaty of Rome clearly states that ‘all member states must enact the accession in accordance with their own laws’ – or the accession is void. You know well that the U.K. did not EXPLICITLY repeal those Constitutional statutes contradicted by the accession, and thus fails that test. Greece also failed several benchmarks for legal accession, Italy – wow, I could go on.
Don’t tell us that the EU is a law abiding entity; it is a law-breaking, coercive, loathed institution alien to the culture of all western nations.
March 21, 2023
“No contract stands if it is entered into under duress.”
Boris under duress?? LOL.
March 21, 2023
@Lynn: The UK entered the EU of its own free will, very willingly, it even kept applying when originally rejected. Dealing with the UK (unwritten!) constitution is a UK competence, not the task of the EU.
March 20, 2023
You are a cheeky *astar*. UK become a trusted player on the international stage again! You don’t seem to remember the lies, deceit and underhanded behaviour of the EU’s chief negotiator recorded when he thought he was off camera. Stop the charades, we didn’t owe you anything after we left (£35 billion) having been a net contributor for every year bar one. The NI Protocol was aways temporary, but used as a means of keeping us close to the EU. It was thought up by May and her traitors on this side of the table. The EU cannot be trusted in anything and THAT is on the International stage (Ukraine/Vaccines confiscation/Article 16 triggered to stop trade in vaccines) etc etc. We don’t want you Peter. Get that through your head and stop trying to be spiteful to us and we may have a future relationship. Not at the moment when you still put up barriers on the City, trying to steal our trade whilst expecting a (diminishing|) trade surplus on goods. Peter to coin an EU negotiators phrase. You want your “Cake and eat it”.
March 20, 2023
Peter the propaganda arm of Brussels only pops up to try and convince us that black is white.
The reason the world is watching us is because they cannot believe we can be so incredibly stupid.
He’ll be telling us Ukraine should bow to Pootin next as he’s a venign benefactor.
March 20, 2023
PvL The EU has no legal or any right to try to impose its influence or laws on the UK . I can understand why it wants to but we are a free democratic country and we must protect this dignity . Maintaining a friendly relationship with the EU is important but beyond that the EU must keep itself at a proper distance . I know the Dutch did not want us to leave the EU – there are many important ties ; however we Brits decided and voted to do so . All the best !.
March 20, 2023
@ Bert Young:
It has already been pointed out in this blog ( by Richard1) that
“Eg even Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s deal with Ireland gave the Irish govt some say over NI”.
When these matters concern the Single Market, the EU27 represents Ireland.
The whole Brexit process has demonstrated that there was complete EU solidarity with Ireland. For other small countries (e.g. the Netherlands) that was a comforting experience.
For me, the Brexit benefit is, that the anti-EU moods (I don’t mean you personally) have been contained to within the UK. The EU27 have moved on and has gained more popularity within these 27 countries.
March 20, 2023
The Windsor Framework does not become good solely on the basis that it is better than something even worse.
March 20, 2023
@Bloke: So why did the UK GVT agree and sign and pass this NI protocol?
Was that in goog faith? Was is signed, not to be adhered to, which is the pervailing impression in the outside world?
March 21, 2023
Peter:
It appears that the UK Govt chose to agree mainly to reach the exit, without its already-extended lateness protracting even further. The remaining unwanted parts were probably regarded as matters which could be remedied later. The UK should have acted better, as should the EU. What the outside world thinks is a matter for them.
People escaping from a burning building lose some of their belongings as speed is vital. The UK had its foot stuck in the exit door, but gradually the boot laces are loosening.
March 20, 2023
Give us our fish back! You are destroying our fishing beds! The EU is a blight environmentally! Now Germany is burning that foul brown coal. You have destroyed Ukraine! How much trash in the atmosphere because of Nordstream?
You are not trusted and the world is watching – China, Russia, India, Saudi, Turkey and us – we are watching you liars twist and turn.
March 20, 2023
@Lynn Atkinson: So Russia has an ally in you?
The other countries in your list are big fossil fuel addictves too.
My reading of the invasion and destruction in Ukraine is definetly different from yours, Lynn.
March 21, 2023
Lynn,
I wish you would read up with what you are writing before it is presented , because it is really a lot of nonsense
March 20, 2023
Sorry Peter, International laws and treaties change over time as they become either obsolete, unworkable, not fit for purpose, or irrelevant to the modern day, and many other reasons.
We do not follow the same rules that were made centuries, or even decades ago, indeed even our own rules and laws whilst still on the stature book, are no longer implemented because they are not relevant any more.
The World is ever changing, so the rules have to change to fit, simples.
March 20, 2023
@Berkshire Alan:
I can see your point. Now, the rules of the Good Friday or Belfast Agreement (including two national identities, some say over NI by the ROI) were made decades ago. The GFA presumably would not have been possible without the Single Market (my assertion), and so the type of Brexit that the GVT of the day chose for the UK had an impact on how to square this circle. That gave birth to this imperfect ‘NI protocol’ (very recent international rules!), now improved by the Windsor Framework. Most of the politicians and people in NI support it.
I would leave it to the people in NI to see it work in practice and negotiate improvements where required.
March 20, 2023
That there are going to be some differences between NI and GB seems to me inevitable – there always were. Eg even Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s deal with Ireland gave the Irish govt some say over NI. At the time there were loud in principle objections from the likes of Ian Paisley (Snr) who asked where else in the U.K. would anyone accept a foreign govt having some say. Nowhere of course, but NI was different – it has had decades of conflict.
It’s objected now that this deal will make it harder for the U.K. to diverge from the EU. Since the Conservative Party shows no desire at all to diverge from the EU and all the other parties want to move much closer to the EU if not rejoin, this also seems academic.
It’s obviously going through. It’s probably far from ideal but imagine what’s going to happen if we get a great split over this, Labour get in with a Blair style majority and then do an agreement with the EU.
March 20, 2023
Labour are getting in with a landslide. That is a given. The question is, ” What can the Tory’s say, do and actually act to redeem themselves from 13 years of misrule?”. Well the Snake’s Windsor deal is another massive nail in the Tory coffin (A betrayal of all leavers) as is Hunts latest budget. More taxation for everyone including businesses. Less representation or say in our democracy, more immigration, less healthcare, less school places, more woke/pc policies, no reform of the left wing health and public services. Higher Council taxes, net stupid and the ban on our boilers and cars. No fracking or production of our own oil, gas or coal, but lets import all this stuff as it makes the political class, feel good! But make sure you get windfall taxes from the energy producers to ensure they never consider UK production again. Still the 30% rise of Corporation Taxes will make the internationals flock to these shores. Never mind that Irelands rate is 12.5 %. Astra Zeneca anyone? Last one to leave switch off the lights or pass the switch to the Albanian illegal drug dealers, still not deported after years. We need Reform.
March 20, 2023
It’s not just Northern Ireland that is Balkanising the UK. The London ULEZ zone and similar policies in other cities are being used to Balkanise the cities.
This Balkanisation is being done by outsiders who wish to see the breakup of the UK and to establish their own territory.
March 20, 2023
And the governments of the last two decades have been complicit in destroying the union and identity of the UK
March 20, 2023
Having a brake in the slippery conditions of the EU risks skidding out of control.
March 20, 2023
Rishi Sunak’s ducking and diving to avoid full disclosure and parliamentary scrutiny of this deal indicates that he knows exactly how bad it is. He is a highly intelligent man so it is hard to be believe he has been duped by the EU. No, he knows what is wrong with it and knows he is selling out both Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Why he wants to cement EU power and influence over UK is harder to divine, but clearly he does.
March 20, 2023
Perhaps his longer term interests are elsewhere, such as the USA, India or within the EU itself.
March 20, 2023
I think you’re being to nice ….I think you’re quoting his ‘short-term’ interests
March 20, 2023
This is all just crazy to allow the EU to have any control over what goes on in Northern Ireland. If the EU wants barriers then these have to be on the Republic side of the boarder. It’s another case of the Political elite not really worried about the interests of the Irish and just wanting to get their way.
The only genuine concern for all parties involved is a matter of health and safety standards of goods and services, security, and free movement between the Republic of Ireland and UK of Irish and GB (UK) citizens.
March 20, 2023
Meanwhile…the banks!
Oh…are they all getting together to print £££££££££££££££s for bailouts..
AGAIN?
March 20, 2023
It is all the fault of Miss Truss!
March 20, 2023
Maybe rephrase that “is it all the fault of Miss Truss?”
March 20, 2023
If the EU will not accept our Sovereignty in NI, for that is what it ammounts to, we must remove the Act which contains the Protocol. Give the required notice to quit the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
March 20, 2023
Agree
March 21, 2023
None of the above ‘- Absolutely we could remove the Act of union1800 as well also the Anglo Ireland treaty 1922 and that would solve the Irish border problem once and for all especially since both of these acts were imposed on the people, English people as well, and without any say from anyone except the politicians of the day – there was certainly no referendum allowed.
March 20, 2023
SIR JR
We both know as long as the European Cuort has a say on the Protocol, you will wish to change it. Now, we ah have a better deal than the one Johnson told us was brillliant, We need to get on with improving the relationship with our allies and closest trading partners.|Brexit has cost us enough as it is. (source Economist, IMF, OECD and BoE)
*So, make the best of it and stop fddling with issues you are not able to change as there is a majority in Parliament for this new agreement.
March 20, 2023
As the days pass it is becoming more and more obvious that Rishi’s Windsor Framework is no more than a complete sham and yet another Remainer attempt to wreck Brexit. It does nothing to alleviate the strangle-hold the EU has over us via the Protocol.
We must have a cabinet stuffed full of out-of-touch Remainer MPs hell bent on bringing this country to it’s knees. Who on earth decided on this so called ”brake” being debated before the full debate on the Framework?
Let’s have some names in the frame
March 20, 2023
George Brooks
You talk about remainers destroying the country. What is destroying the UK is badly implemented Brexit or no implementation at all. And blaming EU for our own shortcomings and still talking about remainers and Brexiters even if it is is totally irrelevant
March 20, 2023
And maybe the DUP ( not at all happy maybe?) will vote against Sunak’s “deal” on Wednesday?
What then?
March 20, 2023
Is the ‘SI’ vote on Wednesday binding ?
Reply Yes, it is a vote on an SI
March 21, 2023
Cuibono
It will still be implemented as we are not goiing to get anything better and S|ir JR will vote against it and once aigan show how split the Conservative Party remains
March 20, 2023
I have written many times that this is the worst government and House of Commons in my lifetime and I have lived through many bad ones. The difference now is that there seems no longer to be any desire to offer some semblance of regard for the wishes of those whom they purport to represent. We are openly treated as irrelevant and with disdain. Furthermore this contempt for the electorate seems to be growing in local government too. There is far worse to come if we don’t have a complete clear out from Westminster. One thing we know for certain is that today will be bad and tomorrow even worse as long as this current Parliament continues.
March 20, 2023
I’m watching the dramatic events in Holland where the EU and the Dutch government are enacting laws which allow them force purchase 50% of ALL farms in Holland.
The pretext is Nitrogen, (the Nitrogen crisis they call it), forgetting that 80% of the air is and has been for 4 billion years – Nitrogen.
They started with energy restrictions, the EU is now going for food restrictions, especially meat.
Sir John, may I suggest a “white paper” by you on the subject, as a warning of what WILL happen here if we get into any sort of alignment with the EU, also – what will happen in N.I if the EU start insisting on Nitrogen laws applying there.
March 20, 2023
Are you for real? Nitrogen in the atmosphere is the nitrogen gas N2, in fertilisers nitrogen appears as ammonium (NH4+) or nitrate (NO3-).
Have you invented a clever method to directly get atmospheric N into fertilisers without involving chemistry and possibly even avoiding the subsequent pollution? If positive I expect you very soon to make a packet …
March 21, 2023
@Elli Ron:
Nitrogen in this context is just shorthand for certain nitrogen compounds (NO and NH3) which are damaging to nature. The link with farming is via the large quantities of cattle fodder which enable (too) intensive farming, but damaging nitrogen compounds also exist due to traffic and industry.
March 20, 2023
Sir John
Before all that Parliament needs to decide is the UK a Democracy? Then reaffirm who gets to govern and define what happens in a Democracy. Are and can all its Laws Rules and Regulations, created amended even repealed by that Democratic process. If not it is not a Democracy.
At the moment our elected representatives who stood on a ticket based on democracy appear to be, rejecting and refusing to stand up for the ideals there were lent their powers to intact in a Democratic Parliament.
Once they get passed that the need to decide on what the UK is. Is the UK the people they were elected to represent or some bureaucratic unelected, unaccountable foreign power. Is the UK the union between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales?
If those in Parliament cant accept the premise they were elected on, they need to leave now. Logic is if they don’t support the UK’s integrity, its democracy, they are traitors in all probability working for a foreign power and not their constituents.
March 20, 2023
Aren’t NI still in the EU single market??
March 20, 2023
For goods.
March 20, 2023
We all are ….we just don’t know it
March 20, 2023
Sorry I was referring to the magic clause ….’’level playing field’’
March 20, 2023
There’s only one reason why this government is using a Statutory Instrument on Wednesday, and that’s because they know that they’d fail the scrutiny, debate and full vote in the house ….that is a disgrace
March 20, 2023
Dear Mr. Redwood,
I repeat what I said only a couple of days ago when last you posted about the Northern Ireland Protocol
The Prime Minister said during his acceptance speech that “this government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.” The way in which it has approached the Northern Ireland Protocol deal comes across as devious, scheming and untrustworthy.
It looks as though the Prime Minister is simply going to ignore your concerns, those of your fellow ERG colleagues, any other conservative MPs and, of course, the DUP.
The Prime Minister might well have a majority without having to rely on Labour votes to get his grubby little deal through but it will do nothing to make his party more electable.
March 20, 2023
If the People of Northern Ireland can have no say in the Laws, Rules and Regulations imposed on them by unelected unaccountable bureaucrats. Then to rub salt into the wounds the only judgement being permitted as to the rights and wrongs any transgressions can only be determined by a foreign political court administered by those same bureaucrats.
What has the UK Parliament of ours come to to even countenances such an undemocratic, anti democracy proposition. Are they all saying they(the UK Parliament) are a useless wast of space, just an ego trip of chums marking time and taking the taxpayers shilling?
March 20, 2023
The traditional understanding of International law, consists of rules and principles governing the relations and dealings of ‘nations’ with each other, as well as the relations between ‘states’.
That begs the question is the unelected unaccountable EU Commission a ‘State’ or a ‘Nation’? For the moment it is neither
Then that begs the question why would a UK PM bow down to such an outfit, create a scenario were a foreign entity is superior to UK democracy and the rule of law. Then if a UK Parliament goes along with the PM’s seemingly personal wishes what does that say about them is pat of a Democracy.
March 20, 2023
On top of what you say, Sir John, I would add that the EU has form in aggressively extending any power it has on paper. For that reason I would not enter into a treaty with it as HMG never seems able to stand up to this behaviour. Instead, the EU should be aksed to leave the UK.
March 20, 2023
Perhaps rejoining “the single Market” would over come all these issues. And give us bakc one of our main markets!!
March 20, 2023
Do you mean that market to which we sold goods worth over £154 billion in 2021?
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7851/CBP-7851.pdf
March 20, 2023
Conservative and Unionist Party?
A Government with WEF Socialist ideals have destroyed along with the economy the very meaning and purpose of it.
March 20, 2023
Everything about NI is complicated and that is why the protocol was needed – that is why the Framework was needed. And now that we have reached this place we can see it is the only show in town so it behoves us all, politicians, business people, traders, ordinary people alike to dig deep to get this over the line to get the Agreement working – any loose ends as outlined by Sir John can be tidied up afterwards I have no doubt that and when better trust is built between the parties all or any difficulties can be resolved – all with good will.
March 20, 2023
It is only complicated because it has deliberately been made complicated.
It could have been as straightforward as this:
An Order under Section 12 of the Export Control Act 2002:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/28/section/12
to extend the remit of the existing Export Control Joint Unit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/export-control-joint-unit
to cover “All goods to be carried across the land border into the Irish Republic”;
with online SPIRE export licences:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spire-online-export-licensing-guidance/using-spire-to-get-an-export-licence
issued to exporters on condition that the goods carried across always met all EU Single Market requirements.
That alternative method of protecting the EU Single Market from non-compliant goods would make it possible to free goods producers in Northern Ireland from EU law, except in respect of goods for export to the EU.
In late 2017 when Irish politicians started to make a fuss about unsuitable stuff possibly being taken across the open land border into the Republic and the EU Single Market Theresa May could have asked her trade secretary Liam Fox to look into the possibility of export controls, and he could have come back to her and said that the existing system of export controls could easily be adapted for that new purpose.
Now ask me why Theresa May didn’t do that, and instead decided that the answer would be import controls.
March 20, 2023
”Everything about NI is complicated”
Everything about NI has been MADE complicated by this government
March 20, 2023
Parliament must debate and decide on the proposed NI protocol otherwise the Government will be guilty of mis-management . Sunak cannot take this matter forward without it . He is trying to hide behind the detail -some of which is impractical .
March 20, 2023
25 of the 26 comments so far (not yours NLH) clearly point out that we are being taken for fools. Bright people do this sometimes until they have driven themselves into a corner. The PM is in that corner and can not by trusted with running this country.
He is so clever that he cannot see that he is driving a huge wedge down both the middle of the Tory party and the the majority of the population which will guarantee a ghastly coalition for the next government.
God help us.
March 20, 2023
Doesn’t he have cabinet to keep him on track – I don’t believe we have another rogue PM, we have a rogue Cabinet & Government
March 20, 2023
If there is still not absolute UK soverejgnty in NI then the Windsor addition to the NIP is a stitchup. The NIP was a punishment device for having the temerity to leave the EU. If the Commons vote for it they are as traiterous to the UK as was May/Robbins, and you do not more dishonest than that pair.
There is only one answer for the UK, Arf.16 for the NIP and at the first sign of retaliation from the EU then all trade to revert to WTO rules. Allowing this latest remainer stitchup will open the door for the terrorists. If the EU want a border then they can create their own in Ireland. The sooner we get a government that thinks and acts for UK interests the better. It has been a long time coming.
March 20, 2023
Apologies for the length of this post.
On the Briefings for Britain website, (used to be called Briefings for Brexit), yesterday Caroline Bell writes that the Windsor Framework is a legal and Democratic sting.
She writes segments on –
– it being a fundamental treaty change
– New directly effective EU laws imposed throughout the UK
– Legal and democratic cheat
– Abuse of the Royal Prerogative
– Remedies
Under Remedies she writes –
MPs need to act fast, given the gallop at which this fundamental change to our laws and constitution is being pushed through. A legal challenge – potentially on the basis of the Miller judgement, which rrequired an Act of Parliament before Article 50 could be triggered – would seem to be immediately necessary unless the government halts the implementation process and tables legislation to amend the Withdrawal Agreement Act, requiring a full debate and vote in Parliament.
The Windsor Agreement materially alters the scope of the Northern Ireland Protocol, curtails Trade freedoms granted by primary legislation, and breaches the rights of British citizens to democratic self-government by allowing direct Regulations made by the EU to be enforced in the United Kingdom without parliamentary scrutiny or approval.
March 20, 2023
OT
At last the BBC is reporting the migrant problem and the numbers of hotels and the numbers in them.
BUT. Being the BBC, the are never illegal migrants, but asylum seekers with the implication that it is the governments fault for not processing them quickly enough!
Imperative now to cancel the licence fee, ASAP.
March 20, 2023
Sunak’s coup led to him being viewed as untrustworthy. His actions over the Windsor Framework are just reinforcing the view. He was closer to solving the NIP problem a few months ago.
March 20, 2023
For God’s sake, just look at this unspeakable garbage being fed out by the government:
https://news.sky.com/story/dup-says-new-brexit-deal-doesnt-address-fundamental-problems-with-northern-ireland-protocol-12838689
“Wednesday’s vote will be on a statutory instrument to implement the Stormont brake – which Downing Street sees as the most “significant part” of the agreement.
The mechanism would allow a minority of MLAs at Stormont to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland – a move that could see the UK government veto their introduction in the region.”
The most significant parts of the agreement are those which leave Northern Ireland behind under swathes of continuously evolving EU laws, as a kind of condominium with sovereignty shared between London and Brussels, not the part which allows some playacting before London backs down and submits to Brussels.
March 20, 2023
How was the ECHR forced on the majority in this so called UK of equals when only a Minority had a vote on the GFA in 1998
March 20, 2023
https://www.briefingsforbritain.co.uk/the-windsor-framework-a-legal-and-democratic-sting/
“In addition, it has agreed to grant new rights under EU law for the EU to be consulted on UK goods and tax legislation to monitor competition risks with the Single Market. This has nothing to do with operation of the Protocol and is an EU demand which was specifically excluded from the Protocol in earlier negotiations. By sliding it into the Protocol now (rather than attracting attention by amending the Trade and Cooperation Agreement), the very purpose of the Protocol is called into question.”
And more, with the vote on Wednesday apparently being the only one that MPs will get.
March 20, 2023
O/T On the Telegraph website, 20/03/2023 ‘What really became of the 6 billion pieces of surplus PPE’ by Harry de Quetteville.
March 20, 2023
Sir John, you do know, don’t you, that the EU has slipped in a clause that will prevent the UK from diverging in any way in tax and trade from the EU, and will allow the EU to make new laws directly applicable in all parts of the United Kingdom? Read Caroline Bell’s article in Briefings for Britain: ‘it has agreed to grant new rights under EU law for the EU to be consulted on UK goods and tax legislation to monitor competition risks with the Single Market. This has nothing to do with operation of the Protocol and is an EU demand which was specifically excluded from the Protocol in earlier negotiations.’
March 20, 2023
From the Prime Minister’s official spokesman:
“With regards to EU regulations, these have been reduced right down to the very minimum level to ensure there is no border on the island of Ireland, and I think that is the overriding priority of all parties in protecting and securing the Good Friday Agreement.”
Why is the Prime Minister’s official spokesman using the nonsensical language of the Irish government and the EU, pretending that at present there is no border on the island of Ireland, and how can it be “the very minimum level” of EU regulations when they apply to all of the goods being produced in Northern Ireland and not just the small fraction produced for export to the EU?
March 20, 2023
They’ve forgotten how to govern in the interests of the UK
March 21, 2023
And anyway, Denis, as Lord Trimble pointed out, they have driven a coach and horses through the Belfast Agreement, which is why the Assembly is down. The excuse for all this was to get the Assembly back up again.
And Boris is the one being tried in a Kangaroo court for misleading Parliament, which he didn’t.
March 20, 2023
I can only agree with the comments so far. The Windsor deal is a sell-out to the EU, by a PM who seems to have no real backbone. Have our MPs, with a handful of honourable exceptions, just become nodding donkeys who will vote anything through, as they did with lockdowns.
Oh, for a massive rebellion from a majority of Conservative & Labour MPs who refuse to vote for this & demand a proper Brexit, which treats Northern Ireland as a part of the UK, which it is.
Ordinary people feel powerless to influence our leaders & the gap is growing, as is the anger. Last week’s budget is a classic example of a conservative government that simply can’t stop spending money, & would rather keep spending than cut taxes.
March 20, 2023
Has anyone read the articles by Caroline Bell 16th and 19th March 2023, published on Briefings for Britain?
Source :
briefingsforbritain.co.uk
March 20, 2023
There will be no brake if DUP does not take up its seats at Stormont
If the DUP does not take up its seats it will not stop the framework agreement working
Direct rule from London will only bring about an earlier than expected border poll.
With so much uncertainty about in NI politics a vote could go either way.
For example – who’d ever have thought that the brexit vote in 2016 would go the way it did
Also remember yhere is a large cohort of Unionist people who would prefer to be in the EU than outside of the EU
So clearly the best thing to maintain the Union is for Unionists to take up their seats
March 20, 2023
SirJohn. I am in a state of total despair about everything your party’s government are doing over Northern Ireland and over what they are not doing over immigration.
Even more in despair about the likely result of the next G.E.
Is there really nothing you genuine Brexiteers can do to steer the party back towards looking after the United Kingdom’s interests NOW?
It has to be now. This is surely the last chance.
March 20, 2023
Agree with your sentiment
March 20, 2023
As usual, 100 percent agree.
Have been tr ying to explain this reality to our Conservative Member for Beaconsfield who, unsurprisingly, supports the PM and believes it a major achievement.
March 20, 2023
Sky reporting that the DUP are to vote against the Windsor Framework deal ….surely this or any government can’t go against the direct wishes of the elected host country, otherwise we’re back in the times of King Longshanks the Lord of Ireland
March 20, 2023
Home Office –19th March 2023
Illegal Immigrants – 118
Boats – 3
March 20, 2023
As usual the Government/BBC are telling us a completely different story to that being told by the EU.
March 20, 2023
Off Topic. Daily Telegraph is reporting that the UN want net zero brought forward by a decade. We are being force fed by a bunch of unelected mad men. Where’s it all going to end?
March 20, 2023
What of Democracy
March 20, 2023
Fedupsouthener :
The UN are starting to panic.
Firstly because their predictions of climate catastrophes, such as the disappearance of summer Arctic ice by 2013, the worsening of weather events in frequency and intensity, the death of the Great Barrier Reef and even “boiling oceans” etc. are proving to be false.
Secondly the public are beginning to realise that Net Zero will mean expensive and intermittent energy and the forced introduction of evs, heat pumps and behaviour change.
As a result the UN wants to speed up the implementation of Net Zero before the opposing forces become any stronger.
BTW “climate action” is only number 13 in the UN’s list of “Sustainable Development Goals. So this call to advance Net Zero by a decade only applies to the Western democracies. China, India et al can continue to burn as much coal as they wish.
March 20, 2023
The anger and frustration are indeed growing! Why does Rishi Sunak seem to be besotted in giving the EU law a permanent place in the UK? You only have to read the details to realise how much the EU is grabbing. Did I read that livestock will still have to go through the RED lane, with accompanying paperwork . Agriculture being sold down the road (as in other ways!)
All Sir John’s requests are logical, sensible, and essential. If this so called government can not provide intelligent complete answers to the questions of one of its most respected, experienced and senior Members, what hope have the general British public got? Can the Government not be forced to hold a proper debate on the whole agreement
I despair. What can we do??
March 20, 2023
If this wobderful agreement is enacted you will realise that the EU is the most legally powerful over the UK.
It will be good for your future.
We know what is best for you.
March 20, 2023
Sunak is not going to allow Parliament have full debate on the draft agreement because he’s not going to allow it be torn apart by the ERG DUP or others – not at this stage – in fact I believe the whole thing will be agreed and ratified by both sides before the weekend. Sunak has the numbers and with Labour he’ll have no problem – and that’s how our parliamentry system works – so suck it up
March 21, 2023
Good article in Spiked on line by Steven Barrett, KC.
March 21, 2023
This morning I have written to my MP, as follows:
“Dear Mrs May
I am writing to you as a constituent to urge you to join the DUP MPs and others in voting against the Windsor Framework/Northern Ireland Protocol tomorrow afternoon.
You once declared that no British Prime Minister could agree to a customs border down the Irish Sea, but that is still part of the new arrangements agreed by Rishi Sunak.
The correct solution to the “conundrum” of the Irish land border lies with export controls on the goods destined to cross it into the Irish Republic, which comprise both a small fraction of the goods brought into Northern Ireland from outside and a small fraction of the goods produced within the province, but as controls are being wrongly applied to imports all goods must be produced to EU Single Market rules.
A system of export controls would provide the necessary alternative to the fundamentally flawed Windsor Framework/Northern Ireland Protocol, protecting the EU Single Market from the possibility of unsuitable goods being carried across the open land border without imposing EU law on all goods production within the province, and I copy below an outline scheme for export controls that I circulated last year.
Once again, I strongly urge you to voice opposition to the statutory instrument and vote against it, and encourage other MPs to do the same, and also press the government to explore the superior option of introducing a system of export controls, a process which from a legal standpoint would start with a much more useful statutory instrument, a simple Order laid under Section 12 of the Export Control Act 2002.
Yours etc”