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Some preliminary thoughts from humble political scientist on #InternalMarketBill. I'll restrict my comments to impact on devolution. In its current form, the Bill suggests a significant recentralisation of power 1/ @CCC_Research @UKandEU
EU exit poses challenges for goods/services trade across UK. But instead of building structures to make governments work together on challenges, #InternalMarketBill all but cuts devolved governments out of process. Even harder now to reach agreement in ongoing IGR review 2/
#InternalMarketBill adds state aid/subsidies to list of reserved powers, where only UK parliament can make laws. Ability of devolved parliaments to pass laws on devolved matters in a way that can make a difference to the societies they serve is also undermined. Why? 3/
Devolved parlt might introduce law to improve public health, e.g regulate production/sale of alcohol, or food/drink labelling. But mutual recognition principle prevents the law's application to goods entering market where these have already satisfied rules set elsewhere in UK 4/
Non-discrimination principle prevents one territory from restricting sale of goods produced or imported into another part of UK and satisfying the regulations in that part. Chlorinated chicken anyone? #InternalMarketBill 5/
Unlike in EU internal market, there are very few exclusions to #InternalMarketBill rules. Public health, environmental standards, morality etc are not grounds for exemption. Unfettered market access trumps other policy goals 6/
#InternalMarketBill also increases spending power of UKG in devolved areas, including in replacement EU programme funding, and bypasses devolved governments. Aim is to fund organisations directly to support UK-wide priorities and ‘promote the UK’s shared values’ 7/
One of the benefits of devolution is the ability to make policy to suit local needs & preferences, and opportunities for policy innovation/learning. Whatever its perceived advantages, #InternalMarketBill limits policy divergences and risks stifling innovation 8/
Much discussion of negative impact of Bill on trust between UKG and EU. #InternalMarketBill will also further erode (already very low) trust between the UK’s four governments. Perhaps it will have the desired effect of strengthening the Union. But I doubt it. /ends
