This deal abolishes the backstop in the old deal. The
Government put forward a reasonable compromise, based
on the key principles of consent for the people of
Northern Ireland, and the UK leaving the EU Customs
Union whole and entire, which was agreed at European
Council last week. The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill
puts those internationally agreed obligations into
domestic law.
This week MPs will have the chance to pass this bill,
to respect the result of the referendum and to leave
with a deal on October 31 in an orderly and friendly
way. MPs voted overwhelmingly to trigger Article 50 in
2017 to start the process of leaving the EU and
supporting this bill is the final stage to make that
happen. This will allow the country to move on and for
the Government to return its focus to delivering on the
people’s domestic priorities: investing in the NHS,
tackling serious and violent crime, and levelling up
funding on schools.
The bill will implement the new deal agreed with the EU
in UK law:
- Delivering Brexit, with a deal, on October 31
- Ending vast annual payments to Brussels
- Protecting the integrity of the UK as we leave the
EU, without the need for the backstop
- Protecting the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
in UK law so that they can continue to live, study and
work in the UK
- Securing an implementation period to give
businesses continuity and greater certainty as they
prepare for the change in relationship we will have
with the EU.
Brexit Secretary, , said:
“The Prime Minister has successfully negotiated a great
new deal without the anti-democratic backstop which
many said would be impossible.
“MPs and Peers today have in front of them a bill that
will get Brexit done by October 31, protect jobs and
the integrity of the UK, and enable us to move onto the
people’s priorities like health, education and crime.
“This is the chance to leave the EU with a deal on
October 31. If Parliament wants to respect the
referendum, it must back the bill.”
