John Baron MP questions Government on Northern Ireland Protocol

MP: Unacceptable for the UK to match future EU regulations as part of wider trade deal

Today the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, gave a Statement updating the Commons on the Withdrawal Agreement. This follows on from an agreement between the UK and EU yesterday on how the Northern Ireland protocol will be implemented. Earlier this year, the EU raised the prospect of clogging up trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by requiring customs checks on all goods travelling across the Irish Sea.

In the Chamber, John asked,

“I commend my Rt Hon Friend for his role, and welcome this agreement – it is good news that the EU has compromised otherwise its previous position on unlimited checks and export declarations could have choked trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. However, given this agreement provides an impetus for the wider trade talks, will he commend the Prime Minister for not making last-minute compromises just to get a trade deal over the line because he has the support of the Conservative Party should he decide to walk away and trade on Australia-style terms? After all, this trade deal is for keeps, not just for Christmas.”

The Chancellor agreed with John and responded that the Prime Minister would not sign up to a deal at any price.

John said afterwards,

“I am reassured that the Prime Minister and the Government are fully prepared to walk away from the talks if they can not secure a good trade deal. A situation in which the UK is obliged to match changing EU regulations in the future is unacceptable, and is not consistent with taking back control of our laws and implementing the democratic decisions of the British electorate.”