I want to clarify in general terms what is going to happen in Westminster this week.
Broadly, the "Brexit" protocol for Northern Ireland provided for Irish decisions by Irish people - that is, how to spend money previously administered by the EU. Westminster, fearing ever closer union of the North with the Republic, now wants control of that money.
In other words, the government seeks to break a binding international treaty. It now says a hard-won agreement, which it was lucky to get - an agreement they endorsed months ago - is flawed, and they will do what they like.
This, of course, threatens Britain's ability to negotiate with anybody about anything ever again. In particular it puts a trade deal with the United States in serious doubt. Ireland has many friends in the Congress.
Johnson faces a growing revolt from his backbenches. His former Attorney General calls the bill illegal, as do John Major, Tony Blair, Michael Howard, and Norman Lamont.
There will be a second reading of the bill in the House of Commons tomorrow, then a vote before going to committee. Many Tory MPs will abstain. They suport an amendment to give parliament a veto of changes to the agreement.
Nobody knows their ass from their elbow, and as our friend @matthew_shamas says, they are going to end up as Weimar if they are not careful.
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