Text of the motion laid in Parliament tonight ahead of tomorrow’s
debate, alongside a quote from the Leader of the House.
Leader of the House of Commons said:
“As I set out to the House today, the European Union will only
agree an extension until 22 May if the Withdrawal Agreement is
approved this week. Tomorrow’s motion gives Parliament the
opportunity to secure that extension. I encourage all MPs to
support it and ensure that we leave the EU on the 22nd May, giving people and
businesses the certainty they need.”
Motion
That this House notes the European Council Decision of 22 March
2019 taken in agreement with the United Kingdom extending the
period under Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union, which
provides for an extension to the Article 50 period to 22 May 2019
only if the House of Commons approves the Withdrawal Agreement by
29 March 2019;
notes that if the House does not do so by that date the Article
50 period will only as a matter of law be extended to 12 April
2019 and that any extension beyond 22 May 2019 would require the
UK to bring forward the necessary Day of Poll Order to hold
elections to the European Parliament;
notes that Article 184 of the Withdrawal Agreement refers to the
Political Declaration between the UK and EU agreed on 25 November
2018, but that the EU has stated it remains open to negotiating
changes to the Political Declaration;
notes that the House is currently undertaking deliberations to
identify whether there is a design for the future relationship
that commands its support;
notes that even should changes be sought to the Political
Declaration, leaving the European Union with a deal still
requires the Withdrawal Agreement;
declares that it wishes to leave the EU with an agreement as soon
as possible and does not wish to have a longer extension;
therefore approves the Withdrawal Agreement, the Joint Instrument
and the Unilateral Declaration laid before the House on 11 March
2019 so that the UK can leave the EU on 22 May 2019;
notes that this approval does not by itself meet the requirements
of section 13(1)(b) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act;
and resolves that it is content to proceed to the next steps of
this process, including fulfilling section 13 of this Act.
