Boris Johnson’s “oven-ready” Brexit deal has come out half-baked. In December 2019, Johnson campaigned to win election on the promise he had an EU withdrawal deal ready to go. However, now the British government has brazenly admitted it intends to break international law to wiggle out of the treaty, proposing domestic legislation to override an agreement the Prime Minister had last year been selling to British voters as a “great deal for our country”.
The EU has warned the UK that trade talks are in danger of collapsing unless the UK withdraws its proposed law by the end of September 2020. The UK government has refused. Prime Minister Johnson is now facing a rebellion within his own Conservative party over the new legislation; the devolved administrations in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are likely to withhold legislative consent, plunging the UK into a constitutional crisis; and the EU is considering taking legal action.
The European Commission says the UK has “seriously damaged trust” with its latest move. Clearly, the EU would prefer a deal with the UK. However, if Brussels does nothing and allows Britain to break an international agreement with no negative repercussions, then other countries (both inside and outside the EU) may be encouraged to try the same thing. It would send a message that treaties with the EU can be modified unilaterally, undermining the rules-based approach the EU tries to promote.
Can the EU still trust the UK to stick to deals? Are the UK-EU trade trade talks about to collapse? Has Brexit damaged the UK’s international reputation? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
39 comments Post a commentcomment
Nope
They couldnt from the very first day its not now that they can Polititions are polititions and they want votes and full pockets but this time the people of the UK have seen through them so they are desperate
I don’t think so
As much as we can trust USA.
EU is starting to look as being naive, occupied by foreign forces, toothless and corrupt.
Who keeps a deal with the EU? Turkey? Nope. UK? Nope. Etc.
This might be a good time to move to the South Pacific.
UK never respect any deal… It is a British gene…
No!
…maybe BoJo is not the UK…
Plain and simple, NO.
YES
No.
No, let’s move forward with a lovely NO DEAL
EU start to prepare for No deal, before Covid -19. UK as well. UK going out from EU without deal – that’s is for sure. Deal – that’s mean a lots of work now – and British are lazy. No deal – that’s a lot’s of work, more than now, but is for later on. UK will think and act, when they are in situation without choice. Is good for EU to prepare paperwork and border for No deal.
Ask the Devil.
Neither the EU nor the rest of the world.
No. They’ve gone the way of the US in that regard. Except this isn’t even due to a change in government. It’s the same government reneging their own agreement.
Of course not
Can UK really trust EU ?
I think that Britain should rejoin the EU and they should make one application for membership with Iceland and Norway.
However Ireland has to dispute the membership of Britain regarding the Irish issue with Northern Ireland. Ireland should get united and then Britain can rejoin the EU with Norway and Iceland together.
Brussels should also attract Lichtenstein to join the European Union.
nobody can
It’s rather easy, and to be expected, that a lot of people will react to these rather simplistic headlines in a negative way.
My guess is that few have read the Withdrawal Agreement, and fewer would have read the Internal Market bill that’s just been presented to UK parliament.
The first question is whether the latter in fact breaches International Law (notwithstanding the rather clumsy statements made by a junior minister).
Article 28 in the WA states that notwithstanding the agreement, the UK parliament remains sovereign.
It also states that if the adoption of the NI protocol results in adverse impact (socially, economically) then either side may take unilateral action to mitigate that.
It also stresses in several paragraphs that the WA pre-supposes that both sides will work in good faith to expedite future trading arrangements to facilitate free and easy movement of goods.
Finally the Internal Market bill is an enabling bill…ie it gives powers to uk government to take action under certain circumstances…it doesn’t apply any action immediately.
So, have they broken any law….no.
If the powers suggested are used, do they break the WA….no…or at least, it remains arguable, depending on the circumstances.
Do any of the provisions in the current bill conflict with the Belfast Agreement….no.
So the Uk hasn’t “broken” any law…not does it necessarily intend to….that’s not to say that the bill is without faults and consequently is likely to be modified…the obvious change would be to ensure that any invocation of powers is made by parliament, not by SI or government edict.
This whole conflab could be negated if the EU were to make good on their previous promise to agree a Canada style FTA without all the caveats they now want to apply.
Yes. Obviously this is a necessary one off. Stop being drama queens
Nope
Should say 2 MPs.
the sad thing it has cleared its first hurdle in the commons. It seems only one mp had principles to vote against it.
Can the EU still trust the UK to stick to deals?
Which deals are those supposed to be? Does we know? Any of these deals we hear thrown around for example. Most of these ideals began in collusion with the UN? When researched you find they originated in the USA. A place where Europeans have no chance of electing those put up to speak for them? Therefore, find we are pushed to follow along working for us or not. Finding we are without a voice in these matter and as a result without democracy on the European continent who, under globalism, follow suit. Does the EU stick to their promises? If so which promises are those all wrapped up in Treaties none of us are aware of? Anyone know?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQXHc-tJMXM&ab_channel=HooverInstitution
Food for thought perhaps!
Can the EU still trust the UK to stick to deals?
It appears our people speak for our leaders. Which is what we gave them eighty seats to do. They dare not pull the shite they tried on last year. And it’s time the Blair creature learned to keep it shut.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1335750/Brexit-news-UK-EU-Parliament-Boris-Johnson-Manfred-Weber-Brexit-talks-latest-update
@Cathrine Benning,
If I was in Ireland’s position I would dispute Northern Ireland with the UK and once the dispute is over and Ireland is united then can Britain rejoin the European Union in one application with Iceland and Norway.
I think it is just fair that Ireland should be united as one country, after all they are the same people. Ireland should veto the membership of the in the EU unless they release Northern Ireland. This is my opinion and of course Norway and Iceland should become full members of the European Community !!!!
@Cathrine Benning,
If I was in Ireland’s position I would negotiate Northern Ireland with the UK and once the problem is solved and Ireland is united then can Britain rejoin the European Union in one application with Iceland and Norway.
I think it is just fair that Ireland should be united as one country, after all they are the same people. Ireland should veto the membership of the in the EU unless they release Northern Ireland. This is my opinion and of course Norway and Iceland should become full members of the European Community !!!!
No
@ UknownWarrior
Thank you for your post. I did answer you in depth regarding your analysis of the Irish question. Somehow, It was not considered an appropriate answer by the rob ots. The solu tion was too imag inative perhaps.
@ UknownWarrior
The people of Northern Ireland are a savvy bunch, as are the people of Scotland. I would not have the gaul to suggest I know as much as they about their life and future desires or prospects. However, all Northern Irish, as well as Scots, must take into account the future the EU offers them as a people. And ask themselves if those policies are the best collective moves to take for them?
What is disquieting for them is having to once again bear the prospect of savage warring from Southern Ireland, should that group take into mind warring in their Irish protestant community again. If you are unaware of the trials of that period look it up. You too would wonder if that was the way to go. And even with Southern Ireland as part of the EU it would not hold them back.
However, as important, is the economic prospect of being a member of the EU, separate from the UK. NI is well funded being part of the UK. Would they be as ‘well off’ under Southern Irish demands as part of the EU? I don’t think so, look at so many States within the EU block akin to Greece and Italy for example. Northern Ireland will loose their freedoms offered as part of Westminster sovereignty and under true democratic law. They will also loose all UK funding as a privileged part of the UK. As will Scotland, should they too feel their economic prospects will be better served outside the UK. This includes EU immigration lack of control under EU open door policy. In other words, they will be overwhelmed with migrants entering via Southern Ireland, wanting to reach the UK and as a result have to house, feed, educate and treat them, on a daily basis, for it will be against British law to enter the UK the way it is now, once we disconnect from that policy. Again, they must look directly at what is happening in Greece, Italy and many other EU countries, who are impoverished by this mass movement of peoples. Are they going to be happy with that?… Many other issues arise but it would fill the entire thread to address them. I am sure you follow the gist.
The best solution, I believe, is for all the peoples of Ireland to unite with the UK, with whom they are blood partners. And become a powerful trader, united with us for a prosperous future, trading with the world but retaining freedoms of true democracy as part of a strong force. That way they remain the healthy, Irish, talented people they have always been. Not a colourless stagnant group we already observe within a stultified European idealism, only serving a Franco/German money machine. For, if they join the South, that is what they will be. Cast aside when found to be needy, just the way the EU do today with those countries who do not thrive under their stifling rule.
This stiff guy gives a little insight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF-C6n1FIP4&ab_channel=JeffTaylor
@Catherine Benning,
British or English people are imperialists.Why should the Republic of Ireland join the UK? Ireland should unite like Germany did. After all they are the same people divided by the English. The difference between the Southern Irish and the Northern Irish is just the religion. They are the same ethnicity. The English people just want to assimilate the Scots and the Irish so they could melt them down in a new UK identity. They will be called British, but we all know that the English will dominant in this so called country “The United Kingdom”.
They English people are very arrogant and they think of themselves as the best there is. I do not think you are being fair to the Scots or Irish people or even the Welsh. What you are suggesting is ethnic cleansing, but done in an intelligent manner without brutal force or violence.
As long as conservatives and Eton graduates run the UK they will lie, break deals and break promises.
@ NewMan
And if the British and English are Imperialists, what are the rest? Care to elaborate?
imperialism
/ɪmˈpɪərɪəlɪz(ə)m/
noun
1.
a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means:
You need to clarify.
And what are the German people now? Germanic, with one blood, with their own voice heard and listened to in a democracy, or, mostly migrant stock where their voice is virtually unknown and ignored under threat of destitution should they dare raise the changes placed on them? You may want to include the French in the same calculation.
If only the English were arrogant. My goodness, they too are afraid to speak their name much less show arrogance. The Irish, Scots and Welsh have the core and culture of Judeo/Christianity. Their blood does not need to pretend connection, it’s in the DNA. Their Art, their music, their collective productivity, science, along with goodwill toward all men. And, yes, the best there is. If you believe it not so, give me an example of better.
Ethnic cleansing is what, in your mind? A saving of the British people who clearly are facing the wipe out you suggest? The obliteration you are in favour of? Replaced by what? Tell us. For it is the same ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Europeans already on the table and being wholly digested for them. And the problem for people with your line of thought is, finally the population have caught on to it. How could they not, it is given a prize every year to the man or woman who pursues it at its most lethally effective…. Called the Charlmagne prize.
Take a look. But, I’m sure there’s no need for you to bother as you already know of it full and well. Otherwise your post would not have drawn attention to it. Just be honest and open up to allow the Irish, north and south, along with the peoples of Scotland and Wales to be fully cognisant, with the English, in what is being sold to them. To understand it and agree to sell themselves to it in full knowledge of what is being secretly decided for them. Starting with dividing them the way you believe is for their good..
http://www.theeuroprobe.org/2013-044-un-agenda-21-and-eu-coudenhove/
https://www.geni.com/projects/Recipients-of-the-Charlemagne-Prize/12120
The world dont trust the UK now , they are a joke
Boris Johnson signed the Withdrawal Agreement and won an election on that basis in the full knowledge that the wiggle room in the text would give him room for such a move. (Aided and abetted by the unelected Cummings). It’s total lack of scruples and good faith without which international relations are a mockery.
@catherine benning
Britain can join the European Union again, but they will have to make an application with Iceland and Norway. The UK has to leave Northern Ireland and recognize that the Irish should united in one country. The Irish are fighting for their independence and they are lovely people.
The UK was vetoed to join the EU with Norway and Denmark in 1967, because the UK told France that they feel more closer with America or the USA. So the French said alright if you feel more closer with the Americans then do not join Europe.So your place is not with Europeans if you want to be close to the United States.
Here is a link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42165383
If Britain wants to enter the EU again I advise them they make an application with Iceland and Norway. Sweden and Denmark tried to convince Norway to join, but the Norwegians declined. The Norwegians found the petrol in the North Sea and after all I suppose they want to control their borders. Despite that I think that Iceland and Norway should be a part of the EU with Britain and Ireland should be united.
IRELAND SHOULD BE UNITED.