Lib Dems challenge John Glen MP to oppose PM’s plan to break international law

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Salisbury, Victoria Charleston, warned “this Conservative Government is in the process destroying our reputation on the world stage leaving us in a tenuous position of criticising others including Russia and China in respect to international law.”

The Government’s decision to break international law over Brexit has been criticised by five former Prime Ministers and senior former diplomatic and security officials. Several prominent Conservatives, including the former Attorney General, have said they could not support the final Bill unless it is amended.

The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Bill that would remove controversial clauses breaching the Northern Ireland Protocol, in addition to further amendments calling for the devolved administrations to be represented in the new “Office for the Internal Market” instituted by the Bill.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Salisbury, Victoria Charleston, said:

“The excuses we have heard for breaking international law from the mouth of the Prime Minister show the depths to which the Conservative party has plummeted.

“The UK cannot expect other countries, like China and Russia, to respect international treaties if we don’t do the same when it comes to the Withdrawal Agreement.

“Conservative MPs have a duty to show Boris Johnson that his reckless approach will not be tolerated.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey added:

“With our reputation around the world on the line, we must stand up for what is right.

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to work with others to remove the aspects of the Bill which would break international law and trash the UK's reputation.

“We will also keep pushing to ensure the devolved administrations have a say when it comes to the UK internal market.







Dear John,

 

I am writing to urge you, on behalf of your constituents, to unequivocally reject the Prime Minister’s attempts to break international law and commit to voting against the UK Internal Market Bill at Third Reading unless the Bill is amended.

The public criticism of the Government’s decision to break international law over Brexit should not be ignored or brushed aside: to date, five former Prime Ministers and senior former diplomatic and security officials as well as several prominent Conservatives, including the former Attorney General, have said they could not support the final Bill unless it is amended.

The current reckless position tears apart the UK’s proud history of promoting the rule of law.  By dismissing the Withdrawal Agreement in such a way, this Conservative Government is in the process destroying our reputation on the world stage leaving us in a tenuous position of criticising others including Russia and China in respect to international law,

 

Conservative MPs have a duty to show Boris Johnson that his irresponsible approach will not be tolerated.

 

I look forward to your response.

 

Kind regards,

 

Victoria

Victoria Charleston

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Salisbury