Johnson lashes out at EU as he clears first hurdle for Brexit treaty breach

By Elizabeth Piper and William James

 

EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrives for a meeting with V4 + 4 ambassadors after last week's round of negotiations with Britain, in Brussels, Belgium September 14, 2020. REUTERS/Johanna Geron

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lashed out at the European Union on Monday as he won initial approval for a plan to breach the Brexit treaty, saying the move was needed because the bloc had refused to take a "revolver off the table" in trade talks.

 

Johnson won the so-called second reading parliamentary vote on the Internal Market Bill 340 to 263. A wrecking amendment was defeated shortly beforehand, though more will follow as he faces a growing rebellion in his party.

 

The EU says Johnson's bill would collapse trade talks and propel the United Kingdom towards a messy Brexit while former British leaders have warned that breaking the law is a step too far that undermines the country's image.

 

Johnson, though, said it was essential to counter "absurd" threats from Brussels including that London put up trade barriers between Britain and Northern Ireland and impose a food blockade - steps he said threatened the United Kingdom's unity.

 

"The EU still have not taken this revolver off the table," Johnson told parliament before the vote. "What we cannot do now is tolerate a situation where our EU counterparts seriously believe that they have the power to break up our country."

 

The EU has demanded Britain scrap the main parts of the bill by the end of September and that if not, there will be no trade deal at the end of the year to cover everything from car parts to food.

 

To back up its message, the European Commission has delayed a crucial decision on allowing London to continue clearing euro transactions for EU-based clients, a derivatives source told Reuters.

 

MORE DEBATE AHEAD

 

Johnson made clear that he would press ahead with the bill which he cast as a defensive insurance policy aimed at preventing a foreign power from dividing the United Kingdom by using Northern Ireland as leverage.

 

Many lawmakers, though, are disturbed by such an explicit bid to breach international law. All five of Britain's living former prime ministers have expressed concern about his plan.

 

"I understand how some people will feel unease over the use of these powers and I share that sentiment myself," Johnson said. "They are an insurance policy and if we reach agreement with our European friends, which I still believe is possible, they will never be invoked."

 

But some EU diplomats believe London is playing a game of chicken, inviting the collapse of trade talks to either get the deal it wants or leave without a deal.

 

Now the bill has passed its second reading, it will face four more days of debate on its fine print - a stage at which lawmakers can try to insert revisions that could change the entire meaning of the bill, or even kill it.

 

The main battleground is likely to be an attempt by Bob Neill, a Conservative lawmaker, to amend the bill to ensure any attempt to use the clauses that breach the Brexit divorce agreement receive prior approval from parliament.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-15

 

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Brexiteers always claimed the reason Mays deal was a failure was because the EU did not believe the UK was ready to leave without a deal.

Well Johnson put the no deal revolver on he table and has been playing with it ever since.

If he insists on reneging on the WA the EU are going to tell him to just go ahead and use it.

Followed by sanctions, fines and a possible trade war.

Is this what Brexiteers voted for?

I suspect not but they claim they knew what they were voting for. 

"Some EU diplomats believe London is playing a game of chicken, inviting the collapse of trade talks to either get the deal it wants or leave without a deal"

 

Exactly this. However, it's not the EU with the revolver on the negotiating table, it's the UK. Unfortunately, for the UK the revolver is not loaded.

10 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Brexiteers always claimed the reason Mays deal was a failure was because the EU did not believe the UK was ready to leave without a deal.

Well Johnson put the no deal revolver on he table and has been playing with it ever since.

If he insists on reneging on the WA the EU are going to tell him to just go ahead and use it.

Followed by sanctions, fines and a possible trade war.

Is this what Brexiteers voted for?

I suspect not but they claim they knew what they were voting for. 

Sadly, from what I have read, the vast majority of Brexiteers are more than comfortable with this outcome......go figure!

 

It just beggars belief......but I guess, having been indoctrinated by the Mail and Express for 40 odd years, it is difficult to think clearly.

23 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The main battleground is likely to be an attempt by Bob Neill, a Conservative lawmaker, to amend the bill to ensure any attempt to use the clauses that breach the Brexit divorce agreement receive prior approval from parliament.

 

What!!!!

 

You mean this man wants to have Parliament to have a say in Britains future...hang him, he's a europhile brino remainer!!!!!!!!

 

Sarcasm alert

3 minutes ago, RayC said:

"Some EU diplomats believe London is playing a game of chicken, inviting the collapse of trade talks to either get the deal it wants or leave without a deal"

 

Exactly this. However, it's not the EU with the revolver on the negotiating table, it's the UK. Unfortunately, for the UK the revolver is not loaded.

Oh its loaded all right.

Loaded with blanks.

1 minute ago, Bluespunk said:

What!!!!

 

You mean this man wants to have Parliament to have a say in Britains future...hang him, he's a europhile brino remainer!!!!!!!!

 

Sarcasm alert

Yeah apparently he believes in the sovereignty of parliament. 

Boris chews em up and spits em out again. 

The anti British need to vacation in the US with their lib blm buddies and burn some Union flags. 

Might relieve some pent up tension/torsion. ????

24 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Sadly, from what I have read, the vast majority of Brexiteers are more than comfortable with this outcome......go figure!

 

It just beggars belief......but I guess, having been indoctrinated by the Mail and Express for 40 odd years, it is difficult to think clearly.

No they claim they are happy with no deal. Its amazing how fractious they become when faced with the prospect of a no deal exit.

10 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

Boris chews em up and spits em out again. 

The anti British need to vacation in the US with their lib blm buddies and burn some Union flags. 

Might relieve some pent up tension/torsion. ????

I don't think many, if any, are anti-British.....I think it is more pro-jobs, pro-economic security, pro- financial security, pro- political stability......all of which were provided before Brexit and will be in short supply after.

Can I ask a question of the Mail/Express Brexiteers?

 

After you have watched PMQ's and then read the headline in the Mail/Express....... "Johnson destroys Starmer"....or......"Johnson takes Starmer apart at PMQ's".......... what do you think?

1 minute ago, Surelynot said:

I don't think many, if any, are anti-British.....I think it is more pro-jobs, pro-economic security, pro- financial security, pro- political stability......all of which were provided before Brexit and will be in short supply after.

Can forget all about that now .

We are in the Covid era .

That will be the cause of any downfall , nothing to do with Brexit now

10 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

I don't think many, if any, are anti-British.....I think it is more pro-jobs, pro-economic security, pro- financial security, pro- political stability......all of which were provided before Brexit and will be in short supply after.

I honestly believe the majority of libs are anti British, whether it’s the scumbags spitting at police at demonstrations or toerags defacing war memorials.

Pro-jobs, don’t make me laugh, the unwashed don’t want to work.

Financial security through looting and handouts.

You mention Brexit, there’s a surprise, why do you think we voted for it.

Political stability? ????

Where you gonna get that?

Jeremy was a commie, unelectable.

Your new guy was too cosy with “Jim l fix it” to be taken seriously.

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, CorpusChristie said:

Can forget all about that now .

We are in the Covid era .

That will be the cause of any downfall , nothing to do with Brexit now

That is going to be so frustrating.........every problem will be assigned to covid and they will get away with murder.

 

Although I'm not sure how the 29 extra lorry parks will be palmed off as covid???

I for one would not mind paying a bit extra tax so the EU could start a trade war to retaliate and really drive Britain in the ground. I mean there are far more people in the EU we would be far lighter hit. They started the war let Europe finish it. 

 

If you are going to blow up international agreements like rogue countries then accept that there are consequences. This is not the EU's doing this is foul play by the Brits. Put them back in their place and for once break their illusion that they are still powerful. 

 

They might be a big Economy but compared to the EU they are peanuts. Its time to stop joking around. The Leavers don't want a deal and want to cheat. Then play rough like them. Its bad for all of us but worse for them. 

 

I always liked there to be a good deal but the way those cheat in the UK play no regard for international law should just not be accepted.

18 minutes ago, robblok said:

I for one would not mind paying a bit extra tax so the EU could start a trade war to retaliate and really drive Britain in the ground. I mean there are far more people in the EU we would be far lighter hit. They started the war let Europe finish it. 

 

If you are going to blow up international agreements like rogue countries then accept that there are consequences. This is not the EU's doing this is foul play by the Brits. Put them back in their place and for once break their illusion that they are still powerful. 

 

They might be a big Economy but compared to the EU they are peanuts. Its time to stop joking around. The Leavers don't want a deal and want to cheat. Then play rough like them. Its bad for all of us but worse for them. 

 

I always liked there to be a good deal but the way those cheat in the UK play no regard for international law should just not be accepted.

Your wish is granted Cinderella ????

 

You will pay more tax.

 

Now that we’re rid of thee.????

Edited September 15, 20205 yr by twocatsmac

3 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

Your wish is granted Cinderella ????

 

You will pay more tax.

 

Now that we’re rid of thee.????

Indeed we will. Its called tariffs. 

Inflammatory post reported and removed. 

 

A post advocating violence has been reported and removed. 

 

11 minutes ago, robblok said:

The result for the UK would be far worse.. and maybe once the normal Brit is hurt Jonson and the leavers will be held accountable. 

 

Actually the Dutch did  not pay more tax to the EU. We already negotiated that. But i gladly pay more to have the UK on their knees. 

 

Then when it get really bad maybe Johnson get hung like Mussolini. Both rabid lying nationalist ruining a country. So who knows ???? 

                                              ????

 

Dutch Elm or sauerkraut. Same same. Same side in the war. 

3 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

                                              ????

 

Dutch Elm or sauerkraut. Same same. Same side in the war. 

You should talk with Transam. You both seem to be focused on the war. That was 75 years ago. 

11 minutes ago, robblok said:

You should talk with Transam. You both seem to be focused on the war. That was 75 years ago. 

@transam yes I love the guy, fast cars,likes decent music,he has a good Thai lady and family. 

 

Maybe he’s an American, remember America? the country that saved Europe from itself. 

 

We’ll never forget that war because good men came to our rescue from places you think only exist in the movies. 

Troll post reported and removed.   

 

EU threats of ‘No Deal’ are not going to get them far at all. Has Barnier still not realised that much?

8 minutes ago, Loiner said:

EU threats of ‘No Deal’ are not going to get them far at all. Has Barnier still not realised that much?

Its not a threat its what you are getting.

Brexiteers overplayed their hand and now its time to show what you got.

Which is a hand like a foot.

11 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Its not a threat its what you are getting.

Brexiteers overplayed their hand and now its time to show what you got.

Which is a hand like a foot.

and that  foot  will give the eu the  boot

11 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Its not a threat its what you are getting.

Brexiteers overplayed their hand and now its time to show what you got.

Which is a hand like a foot.

Well worth waiting for. I only hope they keep their word about this, but you never can be sure about that. They’re just untrustworthy foreigners. 

What a stupid clown. On January 24th, 2020, BJ signed the separation agreement with the EU (after 4 years of negotiations). And now, 9 months later, he's complaining. Is the man really so stupid that he only understands the contracts he signs after 9 months?

 

Edited September 15, 20205 yr by tomacht8

39 minutes ago, tomacht8 said:

What a stupid clown. On January 24th, 2020, BJ signed the separation agreement with the EU (after 4 years of negotiations). And now, 9 months later, he's complaining. Is the man really so stupid that he only understands the contracts he signs after 9 months?

 

He always intended to backtrack......I think he told the DUP and that is why they rolled over......even told Baker he would dump the whole WA at the right time.......the man is uncontionable ...

Edited September 15, 20205 yr by Surelynot

1 hour ago, bodga said:

and that  foot  will give the eu the  boot

Really? Looks to me like Johnsons bluff has been called. Which card is he going to play next?

The Joker? Plays well to his domestic audience of brexitears but with the EU?

Not so much.