Thread by @Jess_Sargeant

Day 3 of Committee stage of the UK Internal Market Bill kicking off after 3.30. MPs will debate the provisions on the NI protocol, including those allowing ministers to break international law. Because I'm petty, I've busted the top 4 myths about the protocol 👇

Myth 1: the protocol will be superseded by the future relationship. Unlike Theresa May's 'backstop', this version of the protocol was intended to be permanent. Parts could be made redundant by UK-EU FTA but this is unlikely given the type of future relationship the UK wants.

The exception would be on state aid, where a UK-EU agreement could allow remove some obligations under the protocol. But the most controversial provisions on customs and regulations will remain in force - deal or no deal.

Myth 2: the powers will prevent the EU from blockading NI. The PM has said the bill is necessary to protect against EU threats, but it only gives ministers in two specific areas:
- the determine exit procedures for NI-GB
- to interpret the application of EU state aid law

Nothing in the bill relates to the movement of goods GB-NI. So if an EU blockade genuine concern for the government – and it is worth noting that UK and NI officials would be responsible for enforcing one – then this bill does nothing to address those concerns.

Myth 3: checks & processes will only be required on goods 'at risk' of moving into EU. This test only applies to customs duties. All goods entering NI will need to comply with EU law and customs rules so paperwork & checks will apply on all goods GB-NI, even if they stay in NI

Myth 4: The EU will decide which goods pay customs duties. The criteria according to which goods are determined to be not 'at risk' and therefore not subject to custom duties will be a decisions for the UK-EU joint committee.

But the UK govt has said if no decision is reached it will take power in the Finance Bill the autumn to define this unilaterally. This is likely to spark another row over the UK's adherence to its international obligations & put the UK EU relationship under more strain.

Full rant (or comment) here:
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/busting-m…