The UK internal market bill is back in the Commons today. The Lords made *a lot* of amendments and not just on rule of law and Northern Ireland protocol but on a wide range of devolution issues. Here are my top amendments to look out for today 👇
Let's start with *those* infamous powers to break international law (42-27). I set out here last week how a deal could allow the UK government to back down on these. The PM is speaking to von der Leyen later and the Joint Committee is meeting today... https://twitter.com/Jess_Sargeant/status/1333740374603554817?s=20
We'll have to see if sufficient progress is made before tonight's vote to allow the UK government to do away with the clauses. But even if MPs reinsert them, the Lords will almost certainty remove them again when the bill goes back on Wednesday - so this is not the last chance
Lord Hope's amendment on Common Frameworks (1) is also one to watch. One of the big criticisms of the bill is that it would remove the discretion of the four governments collectively to agree that divergence was acceptable in some circumstances. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/devolution-common-frameworks-brexit
This amendment is an interesting one because it appeared to pass by accident when the Government forgot to oppose it (h/t @LabourLordsUK). But it is expected MPs will vote it down in the Commons today https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/aa7996f5-da65-4fe5-9607-5e832e572d3a?in=16:44:24&out=16:45:38
The Lords have also removed key provisions on financial powers for the UKG to spend money in devolved areas (48 & 49) and to make the regulation of state subsides a power reserved for the UK Governemnt (51). These clauses are strongly opposed by the Welsh Government.
Whilst the Scottish Parliament has already refused consent for the bill under the Sewel convention. The Welsh Parliament is due to vote tomorrow (delayed from last week). If the Commons rejects these amendments, the chances of consent look slim. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/sewel-convention
The Government has said it will oppose all the amendments but with the Lords also looking like it will stand firm on multiple issues, the government will have a fight on its hands.

I'll just leave this here: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/parliamentary-ping-pong
You can follow @Jess_Sargeant.
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