Boris Johnson has been told by anti-Brexit peers that they will obstruct legislation that would override portions of the Northern Ireland protocol.
A controversial Bill set to be tabled by ministers early next week will be ‘seriously opposed’ in the Lords, according to Ken Clarke.
Former Tory chancellor and staunch EU supporter David Cameron predicts that a “very large majority” of peers will “hold it up for a considerable period.”
The Northern Ireland protocol, which is aimed to eliminate the need for a border on the island of Ireland, was agreed to by the UK and EU as part of the Brexit discussions.
However, this has caused delays in goods crossing the Irish Sea between the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, as well as new checks for persons traveling to the province.
Concerns have also been expressed that Northern Ireland’s position within the UK is being weakened, with the DUP opposing the establishment of a Stormont power-sharing executive until the problem is settled.
To limit the number of checks required, the British government proposes to use domestic law to unilaterally override portions of the post-Brexit arrangements. The bill is scheduled to be published by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss early next week.
Despite Downing Street’s assurances that the Bill is ‘lawful under international law,’ Lord Clarke believes it will be strongly challenged in the Lords. I am afraid that I frequently vote against the government when it is attempting to break the law.
‘I believe that in the current world, a rules-based international order is required, in which countries negotiate agreements and then follow through on them.’ I don’t believe the government should be permitted to negotiate a deal, persuade the people that it’s a great treaty, the perfect Brexit, get it passed by Parliament, and then try to break it almost immediately.’I expect a large majority of the House of Lords to block it for a long time.’
Peers handed the government its worst loss in more than two decades in November 2020, when it threatened to renege on provisions of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.
As the Lords voted 433 to 165 to strike down crucial parts of the Internal Market Bill, Tory grandees such as Michael Howard joined the mutiny.
Lord Howard predicted that the proposed law will ‘undoubtedly encounter a difficult road’ in the Lords last night.