The changes that Cox wants from the Government to the UK Internal Market Bill

They confirm that the Government and its critics aren’t that far apart – and Ministers are now distancing themselves from claims of illegality.

Gale and Percy oppose the Bill’s Second Reading. 34 Tory MPs don’t vote.

The numbers can be interpreted to suggest that the Bill may not clear Third Reading. But in our view that would be a misreading.

Ben Bradley: I will not be undertaking unconscious bias training – and call on my colleagues to take the same stand

Not only is this type of ‘education’ a nonsense, but the taxpayer will have to pick up the bill for it.

Richard Holden: If Starmer stands – or kneels – for each passing fad, he won’t rebuild trust with working class voters

The volte-face that he is currently trying to manage in seeking to defend a Withdrawal Agreement that he opposed is farcical.

WATCH: ‘If I see the rule of law being broken in a way that I find unacceptable then of course I will go’

The Justice Secretary is challenged over Boris Johnson’s proposal to override elements of the Withdrawal Agreement to protect the British internal market.

WATCH: Labour accuses the Government of ‘unnecessarily inflicting’ a Brexit standoff

‘Argument over Brexit is the last thing the country needs right now’, says Louise Haigh, the Shadow Northern Irish Secretary.

WATCH: Coveney – Claim that EU would blockade UK shipments to Ulster ‘inflammatory language’

The Irish foreign minister attacks the language deployed by Downing Street as “spin, and not the truth”, speaking instead of ‘limited checks’.

WATCH: Buckland says UK Internal Market Bill offers ‘insurance policy’ on the Northern Ireland Protocol

“This is something that a responsible government does in order to prepare for the worst. But can I reiterate our steely determination to get a deal.”

David Gauke: May should lead the Commons struggle against her successor’s plan to break international law if necessary

As her Lord Chancellor, I would have resigned if she had brought forward such proposals (which she wouldn’t have done anyway).

Sajid Javid: We need a strategy for putting the country back on a secure financial footing.

Consequently, our third and most important priority is the vigorous pursuit of growth – set our country on a path of solid and sustained expansion.

A problem for Johnson. The Agreement he concedes is flawed is one that he signed.

When such Brexiteers as Michael Howard and Norman Lamont are tearing into you over international law, you have just a bit of problem.

Iain Dale: Why have Buckland and Braverman signed up to breaking international law?

Plus: Deteriorating broadsheet standards, a divided United Kingdom. And: nineteen years on from 9/11.

Bernard Jenkin: If necessary, we must pass legislation that will nullify the direct effect and direct applicability of EU laws

It may be good tough talk to speak of breaking international law, but it does not engender respect.  His exact words were not even factually correct. 

“Difficult and highly exceptional circumstances”. The Government’s statement on the legal position relating to the Internal Market Bill.

“These clauses…have effect notwithstanding any international or domestic law with which they may be incompatible or inconsistent.”

Garvan Walshe: Breaking the Withdrawal Agreement risks the No Deal Brexit this Government was elected to avoid

The Tories’ plan will be blocked by the Lords, anyway, as it contradicts the party’s promise to implement the agreement made in November 2019.