Brexit: Anglican Churches' intervention over Internal Market Bill shows just how disastrous a law it would be – Angus Robertson

It was always unfair to describe the Church of England as the Conservative Party at prayer. However, the intervention of the UK’s Anglican Churches in the row about the Internal Market Bill should be taken seriously at Westminster.
Archbishop of Cantebury Justin Welby was one of the signatories of a letter which warned the Internal Market Bill could set a 'disastrous precedent' (Picture: David Lowndes)Archbishop of Cantebury Justin Welby was one of the signatories of a letter which warned the Internal Market Bill could set a 'disastrous precedent' (Picture: David Lowndes)
Archbishop of Cantebury Justin Welby was one of the signatories of a letter which warned the Internal Market Bill could set a 'disastrous precedent' (Picture: David Lowndes)

In a rare joint letter to the media the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of Wales John Davies, Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell and the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church Mark Strange say the bill could set a “disastrous precedent”.

In their letter, the religious leaders say: “The Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd have made clear that the bill’s weakening of both the principles and the effect of devolved policy-making is of constitutional significance. Moreover the bill is made law without consent from devolved legislatures (as will happen if it is not amended to address their concerns), this will further undermine trust and goodwill among those who govern the different parts of the UK.

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The bill gives the green light for the UK to break international law, destabilises peace in Ireland and profoundly undermines the devolution arrangements with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is supposed to be the vehicle which repatriates all powers from Brussels to national capitals, but instead imposes an effective Westminster veto.

Last week we learned from a large-scale Survation poll for Progress Scotland that 68 per cent of respondents with an opinion believe the UK government will not transfer relevant powers from the EU to the Scottish Parliament and will damage the devolution arrangement. Will Westminster listen to the public, our parliament, religious leaders or even the House of Lords? I fear not.

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