The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons today as the newly formed Parliament begins the process of ratifying the new deal Prime Minister Boris Johnson negotiated with the EU.
Following the second reading, the Bill will then complete the remaining stages in both Houses of Parliament and get Royal Assent in the new year, so the UK can leave the EU on time on January 31st.
The new Bill will implement the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated with the EU. Changes have been made since October to:
– Legally prohibit Government extending the Implementation Period beyond December 31st 2020
– Restore power to UK courts, by giving them the ability to consider ECJ rulings that have been retained in UK law
– Give Parliament greater oversight by requiring ministers to report annually on disputes with the EU under the Withdrawal Agreement
– Repeal spent legislation that now serves no purpose, including the Cooper Act and the Benn Act.
“Today we will deliver on the promise we made to the people and get the Brexit vote wrapped up for Christmas,” said Johnson. “Now MPs will start the process of passing the Bill. Then, at the beginning of the new decade, at the beginning of a new dawn for our country, our parliamentarians will return to Westminster to immediately finish the job, take us out of the EU on 31st January and move this country forward.”
Article published 20th December 2019