Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

United Kingdom Internal Market Bill: Rule of Law

Thursday 24 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government speaks regularly to Cabinet colleagues on various matters relating to Government business.
  • In tabling the UKIM Bill, the Government states that they are acting in full accordance with UK law and the UK's constitutional norms.
  • The Government considers the reality and challenges of being a sovereign nation state, where tensions and conflicts can arise between domestic legislatures and international obligations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Farry
Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

The question arises from concerns over the implications of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill for promoting the rule of law.

Question

What discussions have you had with Cabinet colleagues on the implications of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill for my role in promoting the rule of law?

Answer from Suella Braverman

I speak regularly to my Cabinet colleagues on various matters relating to Government business. In tabling the UKIM Bill, the Government are clear that we are acting in full accordance with UK law and the UK's constitutional norms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions regarding the implications of the UKIM Bill for promoting the rule of law were not addressed.

How: In Tabling The Ukim Bill, The Government Are Clear That We Are Acting In Full Accordance With Uk Law And The Uk'S Constitutional Norms.

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Q2 Stephen Farry
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses concerns about how other countries might react if they routinely put “notwithstanding” clauses into their domestic legislation, mirroring UK actions under the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill.

Question

Our system of international law has been over 400 years in the making. How would the UK feel if other countries around the world were routinely putting “notwithstanding” clauses into their domestic legislation?

Answer from Suella Braverman

The reality and challenges of being a sovereign nation state are that there are times when tensions and conflicts arise between domestic legislatures and international obligations. There are countless examples of where states with democratically elected Governments, many of whom we held in high regard and including many with whom we deal and have agreements, have resolved those tensions through legislation to depart from, derogate from or even break international law. Of course, two wrongs do not make a right, but that is an important context that sets a perspective for the action this Government are proposing. We are a member of the international rules-based system, and I know our enviable reputation will hold us in good stead.

Not addressed: The question about how the UK feels about other countries implementing similar legislative measures was not directly answered.

How: Of Course, Two Wrongs Do Not Make A Right, But That Is An Important Context That Sets A Perspective For The Action This Government Are Proposing.

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