Brexit: Boris Johnson must compromise with EU to avoid a no-deal – Scotsman comment

At this late stage, any ‘breakthrough’ over Brexit is to be welcomed, particularly one which means the UK is no longer threatening to break international law.

Boris Johnson returns to Downing Street with Scotland Secretary Alister Jack following a UK Cabinet meeting (Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

But news that the UK government is to withdraw clauses in the Internal Market Bill that would have unilaterally rewritten the Northern Ireland Protocol, agreed with the European Union just a year ago, does not mean the serious threat posed by a no-deal Brexit is any less likely.

The same three “sticking points” remain: fishing, how to settle disputes, and ensuring a ‘level playing’ field for businesses. The latter issue is the most intractable with the EU concerned that British companies could undercut EU ones if workers rights and environmental regulations were reduced in the UK or if they received large amounts of government funding. The UK government, however, objects to the idea of following the same rules as the EU because of its ambition to “take back control”.

None of these questions is new. The reason why, with just over 20 days until the end of the Brexit transition period, they have not been resolved is that neither side wants to give ground.

If Boris Johnson was a pragmatic leader, he would realise he has no choice but to compromise. Regrettably, his stance appears to be an ideological one that pays too little mind to the economic damage a no-deal Brexit would cause, the livelihoods and jobs that would be lost.

A pragmatic leader, faced with the current impasse, would request an extension to the transition period – particularly given the Covid crisis – but, again, Johnson has shown no sign of doing so.

We hope, at the 11th hour, he will cast off ideology and embrace common sense. If Brexit Britain’s first years are marked by a major recession and searing austerity, Leave voters may increasingly see it for the act of folly that it truly is.

Johnson will likely try to blame the EU, but no one should be in any doubt: the fault will lie, fairly and squarely, with Johnson and co and all those who promised the UK would get a deal that would enable us to “have our cake and eat it”. The arrogance and stupidity of such statements are now colliding with reality.

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