1/ Boris Johnson’s plan to tear up parts of the Brexit divorce agreement he secured from the EU has sparked consternation in Brussels and a rebellion in Westminster.
Here’s why it’s so controversial (thread) ⬇️ bloom.bg/3bTfAYX
2/ Boris Johnson is rowing back from the policies on Northern Ireland he signed up to only last year as part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.
His government says it is prepared to break international law to undo parts of the deal bloom.bg/3bTfAYX
3/ At stake is the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed between Johnson's government and the EU.
It's designed to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland — at the cost of putting the customs border in the Irish Sea bloom.bg/3bTfAYX
4/ The Internal Market Bill would give U.K. ministers powers to:
• Waive customs paperwork on trade between NI and Great Britain
• Unilaterally define which goods entering NI are liable for tariffs in event of no deal
• Strike down EU state aid rules bloom.bg/3bTfAYX
5/ These issues are highly sensitive to the EU, which has responded with an ultimatum: The U.K. has three weeks to amend the legislation, or face legal action.
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6/ All of Britain’s living ex-leaders have expressed concern over the plan.
Some of Johnson’s own Tory MPs have also threatened to rebel, though they would need to overcome his 80-seat majority in the House of Commons bloom.bg/3bTfAYX
7/ Boris Johnson could also face a fight in the House of Lords — though it doesn’t have an absolute veto.
The upper chamber can only delay legislation approved by elected MPs for a year bloom.bg/3bTfAYX
8/ Aside from damaging trust between the U.K. and its biggest and nearest trading partner, the move could also damaged prospects of a trade agreement with the U.S., according to Nancy Pelosi
bloom.bg/3iwAQ9a
9/ And it could also give fresh impetus to nationalists in Scotland
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10/ Back in Westminster, Boris Johnson is about to put his plan to its first debate and vote in Parliament
More ⬇️ bloom.bg/3bURNYx
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