Lidington: Compromise will safeguard the Union
THERESA MAY’S de facto deputy last night unveiled a compromise plan to win over Unionist support for her Brexit blueprint.
David Lidington slams Cabinet colleagues over Irish border
Cabinet Office minister David Lidington said Britain would follow the same EU rules as Northern Ireland if the so-called “backstop” came into force. It marks a major concession to Scottish Tories and the DUP. Under current plans if there is no trade deal after the transition period ends in 2020 the backstop is meant to prevent a “hard border” between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
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It is vital we maintain the integrity of the UK
The whole of the UK would stay in the EU customs union while the province will have to align with single market rules on goods.
This could mean new checks on trade across the Irish Sea, prompting claims of a sell-out from the DUP.
Several of the 13 Scottish Tory MPs have also warned that the special arrangements risk damaging the Union’s integrity.
Yesterday as he was questioned at Holyrood over the draft Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Lidington said Britain would align with Northern Ireland if the backstop was implemented.
Later, speaking to journalists, he said: “I think what we would be seeking to do to provide reassurance to unionists in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and England and Wales for that matter, is to say, well OK, while that’s in GB will not diverge from the regime in Northern Ireland on this. There would still be some exceptions on this, because Northern Ireland is already different from GB in some respects, but the key thing would be industrial goods.”
DUP leader Arlene Foster has threatened her “confidence and supply” deal with the Tories and urged the government to look for a better deal.
Downing Street is also trying to win over wavering Scottish Tory MPs ahead of a vote on December 11.
Asked if the latest backstop plans were a “concession to the Scottish Tories and the DUP, Mr Lidington replied: “Call it a concession if you like. It’s a way of trying to provide that reassurance to people that the commitment to the Union is very, very deeply felt.”
Scottish Tory Adam Tomkins said: “It is vital we maintain the integrity of the UK and Mr Lidington’s comments today go a huge way to providing the assurance this will be the case.”
