United Kingdom Internal Market Bill

Debate between Lord Brady of Altrincham and Paul Girvan

Monday 21st September 2020 Commons Chamber

[The Temporary Chair (Sir Graham Brady)]

Order. It is not possible to speak from those Benches. The hon. Gentleman must find another place in the Chamber.

[Paul Girvan]

Thank you, Sir Graham. The hon. Member mentioned the protectionism in the Belfast agreement. That is its name: the Belfast agreement. Unfortunately, from a Unionist perspective, the protections that we were sold as ensuring and enshrining our right to be part of the United Kingdom until such time as the people of Northern Ireland decided otherwise are being eroded from below our feet by the withdrawal agreement and the clause associated with Northern Ireland. That has to be recognised. Do you recognise, as a Unionist, that this does not give you much comfort?