Mark Francois has announced the European Research Group have been “unable to collectively endorse either candidate” following their debate this morning. He added, however, that the ERG will fully support whoever eventually wins, after both candidates took a “robust” position on the Northern Ireland protocol. Francois also revealed Rishi did not commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence. Hedging their bets…
The European Research Group is circulating this document among Conservative MPs, backing the UK Internal Market Bill as necessary to protect the integrity of the UK, and insisting it does not break international law on two counts.
- The passage of the bill does not break law in and of itself, it simply gives ministers a power of last resort to override aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement in the future. Giving someone the power to override two lines of an agreement as a safety net is not the same as overriding two lines of a treaty…
- In the circumstance in which UK ministers would use these powers, the EU would have itself breached the Withdrawal Agreement, specifically the Article 184 obligation to negotiate in good faith and use best endeavours to reach a trade agreement by the end of the transition period. Therefore nullifying the treaty and making the use of the Internal Market Bill powers not illegal…
It would help if the document had more consistent spelling. Read it in full here…
Guido can reveal the European Research Group have been delivering briefings of their own to MPs, in competition with Number 10. Read the slides of their presentation on the Draft Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration in full below…
Nadine Dorries couldn’t make the ERG’s 6pm meeting last night and so instead has sent a list of seven key points she would have liked to have raised. She hits out at members who have “let the ERG down as a group”, those who see themselves as “above” sending a letter, and those who are constantly briefing journalists.
Read the mammoth message in full here:
At 6pm, I will be chairing the finance bill on the floor of the house and therefore, cannot attend the meeting.If I were there, I would be very, very keen to speak and make the following points. I would be grateful if the chairman would acknowledge my comments during the meeting.
Top tactician Steve Baker has told the ERG whatsapp chat that they have the numbers to force a vote of no confidence. It’s on…
UPDATE: “My count will be be inaccurate. It is a grave matter but I think we’re close.”
It’s on. Mogg will be making an announcement outside parliament after the ERG meeting…
Read Rees-Mogg’s full letter to Graham Brady below:
