Brexit deal given green light by EU
THE European Parliament has set the seal on Britain’s departure from the EU in a final vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.
MEPs meeting in Brussels yesterday voted 621 to 49 to back ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement, paving the way for the UK to leave with a deal in place tomorrow.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab earlier signed the official document ratifying the deal for the UK side, which was then taken to Brussels by Britain’s ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow.
Mr Raab said it was a “historic moment” and “the start of a new chapter for an independent, sovereign Britain, looking forward to a decade of renewal and opportunity”.
It follows the completion last week of the passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through the British Parliament at Westminster.
The agreement settles the terms of Britain’s departure, including future citizens’ rights, the arrangements on the Northern Ireland border and the UK’s divorce settlement.
It also allows for an 11-month transition period, during which the UK will continue to follow EU rules while talks take place on a free trade agreement.
Mr Johnson has said he wants a comprehensive deal – covering all aspects of Britain’s future relationship with the EU, including security – by the end of the year.
He has been adamant that he will not contemplate any extension of the transition period beyond the end of 2020.
However, senior EU figures have repeatedly warned that reaching such a wideranging agreement will not be possible within such a tight timetable.
They have cautioned that the UK cannot expect to enjoy the “highest quality access” to European markets if – as Mr Johnson is insisting – it refuses to align with EU rules after Brexit.
Following the vote in the European Parliament, there were plans for a farewell ceremony for the British MEPs leaving for the last time.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson, in the latest sign that he is using social media to directly talk to voters, posted a video answering some frequently-asked Brexit questions.
One of the questions asked was “Will Brexit affect my holiday?”, to which the Prime Minister replied: “No, not at all, you’ll have a fantastic holiday”.
While the terms of the Brexit deal mean that there will be few changes on February 1, anyone planning a holiday in 2021 still faces major uncertainty as issues including driving permits, insurance and health cover will need to be resolved in the UK-EU talks.
In Brussels, Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said he would miss being the European Parliament’s “pantomime villain” ahead of his final speech and the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement. He said Brexit was a “victory for grassroots campaigning”.