The Government will today introduce its landmark Brexit
bill, which enshrines the new deal we have negotiated with the EU
in UK law.
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
Speaking ahead of the bill’s introduction in Parliament,
the 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 will 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.”
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