Deccan Chronicle

ALL EYES are now on another major challenge: the negotiatio­n of a new relationsh­ip between Britain and the remaining 27 EU nations, which form the world’s largest single market.

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Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas, and the government set aside just three days this week for detailed scrutiny of the complex text.

“We will be leaving the EU on January 31. We will have delivered on the PM’s commitment to get Brexit done,” a government spokesman said, echoing Johnson’s election mantra.

Britain’s main opposition Labour party, bruised by its worst beating at the polls since 1935, voted against Brexit on Thursday knowing the battle had been lost.

Johnson attended the session but did not speak, savouring his victory from the front bench, where he smiled and nodded before the historic but all-but ceremonial vote.

The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament, which is seen as a formality.

All eyes are now on another major challenge: the negotiatio­n of a new relationsh­ip between Britain and the remaining 27 EU nations, which form the world’s largest single market. The Brexit deal covers separation issues such as EU citizens’ rights and Britain’s financial settlement, and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnershi­p.

Brussels warns the current deadline of December 31 this year is extremely tight, and has given London the option to ask for more time.

But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period, saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible. Johnson’s office has indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal. London does not want the EU’s longstandi­ng policy that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” — intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like — to define the coming negotiatio­ns, a spokesman said.

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