Bob Neil, an experienced Conservative MP, asked in an almost rhetorical way in the House of Commons. As if he didn’t doubt for a second that there would be a reassuring answer. “Can the minister confirm that the value of international law is non-negotiable? And can he confirm that with this new law the United Kingdom will not break existing international agreements and obligations? ”
Neil was referring to the exit agreement between the British and the EU that was concluded last year. Reports appeared this week that the British government wants to overrule several agreements made therein. But Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis said to Neil’s surprise that the British government does indeed want to violate the treaty. “In a very limited and specific way,” added Lewis, as if it didn’t amount to much.
Neil shook his head in disbelief. This couldn’t be true, could it? And not just him, but many in Britain. A little violation is also violating. “I am baffled,” said Labor prominent Lisa Nandy. “Respecting international law keeps us safe, defends our national interest. The government is destroying our reputation. ”
Several of Johnson’s party members, who belong to the moderate wing of the Conservatives, which have been considerably reduced since the elections, also speak shame about it. “Doing this will greatly weaken our voice to address China, Russia or Iran,” tweeted Conservative Tobias Ellwood.
Already the sixth top civil servant to leave this year
In addition, one of Johnson’s chief legal counsel resigned. Jonathan Jones, a senior civil servant in Johnson’s own department, said the Financial Times do not live with the British attempt to avoid earlier international agreements. Jones is already the sixth top civil servant to leave this year.
But the government seems determined to face this confrontation with the EU. It is primarily intended as a safety net, said Minister Lewis. If the British and the EU do not reach an agreement in the coming weeks, only then will this law enter into force. And, he repeated, kept to a minimum.
It turns out that many prominent Conservatives, including the Prime Minister himself, are struggling with what they see as far too great EU interference in Northern Ireland after Brexit. It is as if they only started to read the fine print in the agreement they approved themselves months later; After all, Johnsons himself signed these agreements eight months ago.
That the prime minister is willing to violate existing conventions was already apparent when he suspended parliament last year in order to silence the opposition in the decisive Brexit weeks. That step also generated a storm of criticism. Ultimately, the UK’s highest court, the Supreme Court, reversed that decision. The step to even change international treaties now fits in the same vein: crossing borders that former British ministers did not even dare to approach.
A very chaotic end to four long Brexit years is approaching
And all of this happened while a little further up in London, Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, and his team were in talks with the British delegation to try to lift the deadlocked negotiations. They already started under high voltage and it will not have become any more pleasant due to the statements of Minister Lewis. The meager confidence that was still there can sometimes disappear permanently.
The EU will have to consider how to proceed now. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has so far reacted calmly: The EU assumes that the United Kingdom will simply respect the withdrawal agreement, was her response Monday. But if it turns out that the British really want to reverse earlier agreements in this way, are they still a reliable trading partner? Does it still make sense to continue talking? A question to which Brussels must formulate an answer quickly.
On the other hand, the bill must first pass through the House of Commons. And although Johnson has a comfortable majority, it is not inconceivable that more than 40 of his party members will vote against this law. That number is needed to defeat the prime minister.
Either way, all of this brings a very chaotic end to four long Brexit years a lot closer.
Also read:
Is London really blowing up the Brexit agreement or is it bluffing?
New bills from the Johnson administration would be diametrically opposed to last year’s hard-fought withdrawal agreement with the EU.
Why the Brexit negotiators will hardly get any results
A new week of negotiations starts in London, but expectations are low. A no-deal scenario inexorably rears its head.
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