Withdrawal (dis)agreement (Part 3)

In brief

• The Government had no doubt expected strong criticism from Labour, Liberal Democrats and Crossbenchers, but not that almost half the 35 Conservative peers who took part in the debate this week would speak against the Bill.

The Lords gave the Internal Market Bill a right drubbing during the Second Reading debate this week. Seven hours of debate on Monday was followed on Tuesday by closing speeches and, unusually for a Second Reading debate, a vote. The amendment moved by former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, regretting that ‘Part 5 of the Bill contains provisions which, if enacted, would undermine the rule of law and damage the reputation of the United Kingdom’, was carried (on a remote vote) by an overwhelming 395 to 169.

The Government had no doubt expected strong criticism from Labour, Liberal Democrats and Crossbenchers. It may not have expected that almost half the 35 Conservative peers