JOANNA Cherry has praised Ed Miliband for making Boris Johnson "look a fool" in the Commons over his Brexit deal.
Miliband, the shadow business secretary warned MPs the Tory Internal Market Bill would “equip the Government with the power to break the law”, and said Johnson’s “cavalier” attitude must be opposed.
Cherry tweeted: It would be extremely churlish for anyone to deny that this is a fantastic speech from @Ed_Miliband. He’s really making @BorisJohnson look a fool. #InternalMarketBill
It would be extremely churlish for anyone to deny that this is a fantastic speech from @Ed_Miliband. He’s really making @BorisJohnson look a fool. #InternalMarketBill
— Joanna Cherry QC (@joannaccherry) September 14, 2020
The Bill seeks to override the Brexit divorce deal, thereby breaching international law, in a bid to protect the relationship between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The legislation, which has its second reading in the Commons today, will override key elements of the Withdrawal Agreement agreed between the UK and the EU.
Overriding the Withdrawal Agreement means a significant shake up of state aid and spending rules, and more power being handed to London over regulations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
WATCH: Boris Johnson left speechless as Ed Miliband calls Brexit bill 'hooliganism'
Speaking for the Opposition, Miliband accused Johnson of “legislative hooliganism” and said he had ignored warnings over how the Northern Ireland Protocol works and the mediation measures in place.
He told the Commons: “Let’s just get this straight for a minute, because I think it is important to take a step back, what the Prime Minister is coming to the House to tell us today is that his flagship achievement, the deal he told us was a triumph, the deal he said, as I said, was oven ready, the deal [on] which he fought and won the general election is now contradictory and ambiguous.
“What incompetence. What failure of governance. And how dare he try and blame everyone else.
He went on: "There is an irony here which is this Bill does precisely nothing to address the issue of transport of food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. It is about two issues where they are going to override international law.
"It's about exit declarations – Northern Ireland to GB – and the definition of stade aid relating to Northern Ireland. If the Prime Minister wants to tell us that there's another part of this Bill that we haven't noticed, that will deal with this supposed threat of the blockade, I'll give way to him.
"I'll very happily give way to him and he can tell us – I'm sure he's read it – I'm sure he knows it in detail because he's a details man. Come on, tell us what clause protects the threat that he says he's worried about GB to Northern Ireland exports. I give way to him."
Johnson sat with his arms folded and refused to defend his Bill.
"There you have it," Miliband concluded. "He didn't read the protocol, he he hasn't read the Bill, he doesn't know his stuff."
Imagine surviving Covid only to get murdered by a Miliband pic.twitter.com/ktMvCV7JN2
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) September 14, 2020
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel