Brexit gets green light in no-fuss vote N. IRELAND RIVALS CLOSE IN ON DEAL
London, Jan. 10: Britain’s parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union later this month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and splintered society.
The House of Commons erupted in cheers after MPs ratified Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s divorce deal with Brussels by 330 votes to 231, turning the page on an extraordinary era of political drama and chaos.
For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, lawmakers have been at each others’ throats over how, when or even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years.
Some view Brexit with horror, fearing it will strip them of their European identities and turn Britain into an insular, less important nation.
Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to “take back control” from officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might.
Businesses and governments in Europe, puzzled by Britain’s struggles over what they viewed as a selfinflicted wound, hoped that Brexit could still somehow be undone.
But Johnson’s comprehensive victory in last month’s general election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil, giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push it through.
MPs gave their initial blessing to the EU
Belfast, Jan. 10: Northern Ireland’s rival parties stood on the verge Friday of reviving a power-sharing government that could help the volatile province handle the pressures of Brexit.
The parties are being pushed towards an agreement by the threat of a new regional election being called if no government is formed by Monday after two years without a functioning regional Assembly.
A draft deal for how the new executive would work was released late on Thursday by UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith and Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney.
“We have put in place a series of what I would regard as very fair compromises to move things forward,” Coveney said on Friday.
The region’s devolved assembly at Stormont collapsed in January 2017 over allegations the government was misusing renewable energy funds.
Numerous rounds of increasingly acrimonious negotiations failed to find an agreement and basic services were left unattended — eventually sparking workers’ strikes.
The latest talks were launched in the wake of a December 12 UK general election that saw smaller parties gain momentum.