PM To Address Party Colleagues As COVID-19 Restrictions, Brexit Backlash Grows

Katy Balls from The Spectator says Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to address Conservative Party MPs this afternoon at 1730BST (1230ET, 1830CET) as disquiet on the backbenches grows over the re-imposition of COVID-19 restrictions as well as aspects of the UK Internal Market Bill, that contains provisions that have sparked a major deterioration in relations with the European Union.

• On the re-imposed COVID-19 restrictions (limiting gatherings indoors or outdoors in England to a maximum of 6 people), the libertarian-minded wing of the party has argued there must be debate in parliament on the measures, as opposed to the gov't imposing restrictions unilaterally.
• With regards to the UK Internal Market Bill, there are two groups of opposition. Some, spearheaded by chair of the Justice Select Committee Sir Bob Neill (Con, Bromley and Chiselhurst), oppose the Bill on the basis of its breaches of international law in overriding sections of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. These MPs have said that the damage done to the UK's reputation abroad should it breach a signed treaty would be too great a price to pay.
• On the other side, some hardline Brexiteer Conservative MPs have said the state aid provisions in the UK Internal Market Bill do not go far enough in ensuring the gov't free reign on supporting British industries and regions once the transition period is over.
• The potential rebellion does not, at present, seem large enough to see the gov't defeated on the Bill, but the obvious disquiet among a section of the parliamentary party will do little to cheer the PM who is already facing increased scrutiny in the face of a number of perceived failings and gov't U-turns in recent weeks and months.