The Stormont brake is the surprise addition to the NI Protocol/Windsor Framework. It's potentially pretty powerful - some NI parties are concerned it is too powerful - and a major concession from the EU. So how might it work? So under the original protocol there were 2 ways NI was expected to stay dynamically aligned:
1) amendments and updates to existing EU law applicable under the protocol, which applied automatically
2) the UK and EU could agree to add new EU laws

Good morning, it's a big day/week on the Northern Ireland Protocol - and there could be a deal as soon as today.

So what were the UK-EU positions going into these talks and here might a deal land? 🧵 There been back & forth, but each side set out its clearest articulation of its position in 2021. The UK government published a command paper in July, and the EU responded with its own proposals in Oct (which already moved a long way from its original position). Let's compare 👇

It's a big day for Rishi Sunak, but also a big day for post-Brexit legislation. The Commons is debating the Retained EU (Revocation and Renewal) Bill. The new PM promised to "embrace the opportunities of Brexit", but the bill poses some big challenges he will need to navigate. The bill will end the supremacy of retained EU law. It will give ministers broad powers to amend or retain EU law left on the UK statute book. A sunset clause means that unless action is taken all post-Brexit EU regulations will be revoked by the end of 2023.

Today (on this very quiet news day) @instituteforgov and @BennettInst have launched our Review of the UK Constitution. After a tumultuous five years in British politics, we're taking an impartial, evidence-based & comprehensive look at the functioning of the UK constitution. To kick it all off we've published our first paper: A framework for reviewing the UK constitution. It examines the purpose of a constitution, how the UK fulfils that purpose, and identifies key problems which we will explore during the course of the review instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/…

Yesterday the Northern Ireland Executive agriculture minister, Edwin Poots, directed his officials to halt checks on goods moving from GB-NI. So what are the issues and what are the consequences? 🧵 NI has a power-sharing government, matters that are 'significant or controversial' must be discussed in the multi-party executive. Poots tried to bring a paper on border checks to Exec but that was blocked, so argues that there is now no legal basis for them to continue.

One of the biggest challenges in assessing the impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol is the lack of data. The UKG command relies on business group surveys and anecdotal evidence. The ONS has started asking some qs on GB-NI trade, so let's take a look 👇 The figures are from the fortnightly Business insights and impact on UK economy survey – first off only 5% of UK businesses reported sending goods from GB-NI in the last 12 months. This means we’re dealing with a small sample size so figures should be treated with caution

There's just days until the Northern Ireland protocol enters into force on 1 Jan. The Joint Committee has made it's decisions, the UK and EU have agreed an FTA (the TCA), and the UK have announced lots of new schemes, but what does this all mean for the Irish Sea Border ⛴️🚛🧵 Tariffs💵The Joint Committee already agreed that most goods moving GB-NI that are for sale or final use in NI will not be subject to tariffs. Businesses will need to register for the UK Trader Scheme to certify that their goods qualify. instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/nor…

Yesterday saw the Government reach a compromise with Peers over the devolution aspects of the UK Internal Market Bill. The Lords were standing strong over an amendment on Common Frameworks - so what has been agreed & where do we go now? 🧵 First a quick recap: the bill enshrines 2 Market Access Principles in law 1) Mutual recognition, anything acceptable for sale in one part of the UK is acceptable in another 2) Non-discrimination, no discrimination against goods from another part of the UK
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/int…

The UK Internal Market Bill will be back in the Commons shortly, before you even had a chance to miss it! Agreement with the EU means, government has backed down law-breaking clauses, but the Lords are standing firm on the devolution aspects. Which amendments are still standing? Lord Hope's amendment on Common Frameworks is back with some minor tweaks. It disapplies the market access principles where divergence had been agreed through common frameworks. This was the biggest gov defeat in the Lords last night 320-215, but the gov intend to oppose it.

Gove says EU and UK agreed in 'principle' that meets all of the UK govs commitment
1) to unfettered access NI-GB
2) NI's place in UK customs' territory - no tariffs for goods GB-NI that say in NI
3) a smooth transition with no new customs infrastructure Gove says agreement on 'at risk' criteria means "NI businesses selling to consumers or using goods in NI will be free from all tariffs" - from cars to lamb

Good news on the Northern Ireland protocol! The UK & EU have reached agreement 'in principle' in the joint committee, and UK will drop those clauses of the UKIM Bill.
A bit of background (with endless lots of @instituteforgov links as you love it so much) gov.uk/government/pub… Some of these issue relate to decisions deferred to the Joint Committee in the protocol itself as we set out in @instituteforgov report instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/…

Commons rejects Lord Hope's amendment 359-265

https://twitter.com/Jess_Sargeant/status/1335916673803685891

Government remembers to oppose Lord Stevenson's amendment this time (if you haven't seen this clip yet I would highly recommend parliamentlive.tv/event/index/aa…). MPs vote against it 360-265

https://twitter.com/Jess_Sargeant/status/1335916676869713920?s=20

The UK internal market bill is back in the Commons today. The Lords made *a lot* of amendments and not just on rule of law and Northern Ireland protocol but on a wide range of devolution issues. Here are my top amendments to look out for today 👇 Let's start with *those* infamous powers to break international law (42-27). I set out here last week how a deal could allow the UK government to back down on these. The PM is speaking to von der Leyen later and the Joint Committee is meeting today...

https://twitter.com/Jess_Sargeant/status/1333740374603554817?s=20

Next week the UK gov is expected to introduce the Finance Bill with yet more powers to break international law, on top of those in the UKIM bill. This won't go down well in the EU. But with a deal supposedly around the corner, will this allow the UK drop the offending clauses?🧵 First, it's worth distinguishing between the two sets of ongoing discussions
- negotiations on the future relationship FTA
- decisions in the Joint Committee - the UK and EU body responsible for overseeing the withdrawal agreement.
Whilst separate, politically, they are linked.

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.

Today is the first day of committee stage on the UK internal market bill. Luckily, @ThimontJack's amendments explainers are back!

So what should we expect? TLDR put Tuesday 22 September in your diary! 📆

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/int… Tues 15 - Monitoring of the internal market 📈
MPs will debate clauses on the functions that will be given to new independent office which will be set up in the CMA. There are some amendments requiring DA approval on exercise of these functions, but these are unlikely to pass.

Today is the day the UK Internal Market Bill is published. The bill will have *big* implications for the constitution, devolution, public spending, and the UK's international obligations (just a few issues then). Here are the top 5 things to look out for: 1) Mutual recognition - the bill will this principle - which will ensure that anything that is acceptable on the market in one part of the UK will be acceptable in the other (more complicated in NI) - in law.

Yesterday we heard reports that the UK government was planning to undermine the Northern Ireland Protocol through UK internal market bill. Today, we saw a top government legal advisor resign - this suggests it's serious. So what this all about? Thread👇 So first thing to say, is we won't know what the bill actually says until it is published (expected to be tomorrow). But No 10 has suggested that ministers will take powers to 'remove ambiguity' if certain issues are not resolved by the end of the year.

https://twitter.com/PippaCrerar/status/1302934665368608770?s=20

Today, the prime minister announced a major relaxation of lockdown restrictions in England to begin on 4 July, but in case you need reminding Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make their own rules.

So what can and can't you do in each part of the UK, and when?

Thread 👇 How many people can I meet outdoors? 👭👬
England - Up to 6 people from different households
Scotland - 3 households, max 8 people
Wales - 2 households, no max
NI - up to 10 people from different households

There's lots of speculation about the possibility of MPs requiring a confirmatory vote on the new Brexit deal. A key thing to remember is that a vote in favour is only the first step in the process, actually holding one will prove more difficult. It's a thread kind of day 👇 Holding a referendum requires primary legislation. It's unlikely that MPs would be able to pass such legislation without Government support. A referendum involves spending public money so the bill would need a money resolution, which needs to be tabled by a Minister.