Boris Johnson holds a bilateral meeting with French President Emanuel Macron on the first day of the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau on June 26, 2022
(Getty Images)
Boris Johnson has said his government’s plans to unilaterally break parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol could become law “very quickly”.
When MPs meet to discuss controversial legislation aimed at overturning parts of the mechanism governing post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland, Johnson demanded that the laws, which lead to retaliation and even a trade war with the EU, could be implemented in 2022.
His comments at the G7 summit are contrary to expectations that colleagues will block the legislation for up to 12 months.
The prime minister also insisted he was not bothered by the possible plots of his fellow Conservatives to oust him, following a double by-election defeat and the resignation of Conservative Party President Oliver Dowden.
Questions about his leadership were “resolved” during the recent vote of confidence, he insisted, although over the weekend he reported that Conservative MPs had sent a series of new letters of censure to the 1922 Committee, in a new rebellion allegedly provoked by his claim to plan. a third term.
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Number 10 says it wants to pass Northern Ireland Protocol laws “as soon as possible”
The government wants to pass the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill “as soon as possible,” Downing Street said.
Asked about Boris Johnson’s suggestion that the plan to break parts of post-Brexit agreements in the region could be enacted by the end of the year, a No. 10 spokesman said: “We have never set a fixed date, but we want to approve it. as soon as possible to address the many problems we know the protocol is causing people on the ground. “
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 1:03 PM
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Financial support in Ukraine “price worth paying,” says the prime minister
Boris Johnson has been talking about the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine, even if it means economic pain.
“I think the economic impacts [of the war] in the UK it will start to slow down, we will find ways to fix things and some of the cost pressures will start to go down, ”he told the BBC.
Pressed on whether there was a time limit or a limit on the amount the UK could give, the Prime Minister said: “I think it is sometimes worth paying the price of freedom.”
He added: “And just remember, democracies, in the middle of the last century, took a long time to recognize that they had to resist tyranny and aggression. It cost them a lot of time, it was very expensive. “
Defending freedom now would give “long-term prosperity” and not addressing Russian aggression would mean “long-term instability,” Johnson said.
Adam Forrest June 27, 2022 12:48 PM
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Johnson says “no one gives up the privilege” of being prime minister and calls for a “new term” to lead
When asked at the G7 summit if he had considered moving away from number 10, Johnson told the BBC: “You’re asking me to talk about me and my career. I’m focused on what I’m acting as the leader of the country “.
The prime minister added: “This is a huge, huge privilege. No one is giving up a privilege like this.”
Asked if he still had the authority to lead, Johnson, irritated, said, “Not only do I have the authority, but I have a new mandate from my party of which I am absolutely delighted.”
Our policy correspondent Adam Forrest has more details here:
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 12:34 PM
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Upgrading requires billions more than is offered, warns the think tank
The leveling of UK cities will require an investment that goes “far beyond everything the Boris Johnson government is currently contemplating,” a think tank said.
A report released today by the Resolution Foundation found that income disparities were both “significant” and “persistent”, with only the traditionally poorer areas of central London, such as Hackney and Newham, significantly improving their position. for the last 25 years.
Per capita income in the richest part of the country, Kensington and Chelsea, was 350 per cent higher than per capita income in Nottingham, the poorest part, according to the report, and the think tank will argue that current government policies do not go far enough. , in another report to be presented Thursday.
Taking Manchester as an example, where productivity is 30 per cent lower than in London, the think tank said closing this gap would require tens of billions of pounds of investment, more graduates working in the city and 300,000 additional workers moving to Greater Manchester.
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 12:19 PM
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The plan to break the Northern Ireland Protocol could become law “very soon” in 2022, says Boris Johnson
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more information on Boris Johnson’s claims that his plan to break parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol – in legislation being debated by MPs today – could become law “very quickly” and could be implemented this year.
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 12:02 PM
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“Shows some backbone”: Conservative rebels call on cabinet to move against Boris Johnson
A leading conservative critic of Boris Johnson has called on cabinet ministers to “show some backbone” and take action on leadership, reports our political editor Andrew Woodcock.
William Wragg, who chairs the public administration and the communal constitutional affairs committee, suggested that senior ministers with their eyes set on leadership are harming their own chances of succeeding Johnson by not acting decisively to delete it now.
Wragg told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour that former Conservative President Oliver Dowden deserved “credit” for leaving the cabinet in the wake of last week’s disastrous by-elections.
But he said there was a growing disappointment in the Conservatives’ back benches that other senior ministers had not taken similar action, adding, “Any of them with leadership aspirations might want to consider it and do something about it.”
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 11:52 AM
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Speculation about Boris Johnson’s remodeling plans
According to reports, a Conservative informant has stated that Boris Johnson “cannot do a remodel now because then everyone would realize that he offered them the same jobs to pass the vote of confidence.”
A reshuffle had been expected before parliament went into recess next month to try to refocus Prime Minister Johnson, but it has been carried out at least until the fall, according to The Times.
The newspaper quoted a cabinet member as warning that deposed ministers could become “really vigorous agitators” in later banks.
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 11:25 AM
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Conservative MPs reject rumors of Labor desertion
Following claims by Labor experts that six Conservative MPs are thinking of a dropout from Sir Keir Starmer’s party, two Conservative MPs have moved to rule out the race.
“For the avoidance of doubt, again, I’m not deserting. For those anonymous colleagues who spread these rumors, my door is always open for a talk,” tweeted Dehenna Davison, who earlier this year dismissed the “nasty” information that led to the so-called “Pork Pie Plot” coup against the Prime Minister.
Former Minister Caroline Nokes also assured Conservative colleagues that she did not have such intentions either.
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 11:14 AM
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Prince Charles accepts millions in his “unusual” suitcase, the minister says
The idea of Prince Charles receiving millions in donations in a suitcase from a former Qatari prime minister is “a bit unusual,” said Cabinet Minister George Eustice.
The Prince of Wales personally received around three batches of cash, for a total of € 3 million, from Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, according to the Sunday Times. Clarence House has argued that “correct processes” were followed to deliver the money to the prince’s charities, and there is no suggestion that the donations were illegal.
“My understanding is that this was immediately passed on to the charity, it was declared and checked in the usual way,” Eustice said. “At some level, it’s clearly a bit unusual to have such a large amount of cash.”
Asked by LBC what his reaction would be if he were offered a large amount of money in bags, the Environment Secretary said: “Of course, it is unusual, but if it is a permitted donation that has been verified, it is still a permitted donation “.
Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has the full report here:
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 10:56 AM
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Today could mark a “significant step forward” in the dispute over the Brexit protocol, says the DUP minister
It will be an “important step” if the Northern Ireland Protocol bill goes through a second reading in the House of Commons on Monday, but the future looks “bleak” if it doesn’t, Edwin Poots of the DUP said.
When asked if his match will be closer to returning to Stormont if successful, Poots told BBC Radio Ulster: “In a sense, yes.”
He warned that if it is not achieved “I think the future looks bleak”, adding: “If it happens today it is an important step forward and we would be working with the government to see what other steps can be taken in advance that the legislation it is fully applied ”.
Andy Gregory June 27, 2022 10:38 AM