MPs urge Rishi Sunak to stand firm over Brexit Bill

2022-12-12

MPs urge Rishi Sunak to stand firm over Brexit Bill amid rumours it will go on ice to smooth out talks with EU

Rishi Sunak is facing pressure from Eurosceptic MPs to proceed with Brexit Bill
The PM is said to have it on hold while trying to enhance relations with Europe
The Bill has been through the Commons but will not go before Lords this year

Eurosceptic Tory MPs last night urged Rishi Sunak to proceed with the Brexit Bill after reports he has put it on ice in a bid to improve relations with the EU.

When he was prime minister, Boris Johnson introduced legislation allowing Britain to unilaterally withdraw from the Northern Ireland Protocol – the post-Brexit trading arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland – if the EU refused to compromise.

But the Bill, which has already passed through the Commons, will now not return to the Lords this year. It comes amid optimism about finding an agreement with the EU. Senior figures in Government believe a deal can be reached before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement in April.

Tory MPs said Mr Sunak should ‘press on with the legislation’.

Eurosceptic Tory MPs last night urged Rishi Sunak to proceed with the Brexit Bill after reports he has put it on ice in a bid to improve relations with the EU (Pictured: European flags fly in front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels)

Former Cabinet minister John Redwood said: ‘The EU treat all delays as weakness. They have shown no sign whatsoever to make any changes to make the protocol work.’

David Jones, a member of the European Research Group of Tory MPs, said: ‘It’s absolutely essential that we press on with the Bill, and if necessary invoke the Parliament Act to get it through the Lords. That level of determination will show the EU we mean business.’

Last night a Government spokesman said the Bill has not been paused and will continue its passage in the new year.

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