A vassal state plays by rules of others

The resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson are welcome in that they signify that at least some in the Tory party are declining to buy the sell out on Brexit that was the Chequers 'agreement'.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Jul 2018, 08:00 BST
Updated 17th Jul 2018, 18:44 BST
July 6, 2018: Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a cabinet meeting at Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country residence near Ellesborough in BuckinghamshireJuly 6, 2018: Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a cabinet meeting at Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country residence near Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire
July 6, 2018: Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a cabinet meeting at Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country residence near Ellesborough in Buckinghamshire

At the heart of it was a huge capitulation on the key issue at the heart of ‘taking back control’.

By agreeing to accept the EU’s rule book in respect of the trading of goods and agri produce, Mrs May has surrendered to Brussels control.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The essence of a vassal state is to agree to apply another’s rule book, which is interpreted by another’s court.

LettersLetters
Letters

The pretence that Parliament could still reject such rules is evidently illusionary and would never be exercisable in practice.

Moreover, it is inevitable that a Prime Minister and cabinet of such a supplicant mindset will make even further concessions in negotiations in their pandering to a belligerent EU.

So, now is the time for any cabinet minister of any Brexit principle to stand up and be counted. From the Northern Ireland perspective I am concerned that the Chequers declaration – though the wording is obtuse – signals a willingness to accept the disastrous EU legal text on the ‘backstop’.

The wording of the White Paper on this issue should further clarify the matter.

Jim Allister

TUV leader, North Antrim MLA

Related topics:David DavisBoris JohnsonPrime MinisterParliamentNorthern Ireland