The Commons Library Withdrawal Agreement Bill Explained

The Withdrawal Agreement Bill, commonly referred to as the “Brexit Bill,” has been in the news for years now as it outlines the UK`s departure from the European Union. The Commons Library has recently published a detailed report on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which explains the bill`s contents and the implications of this bill.

What is the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

The Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which was introduced in October 2019, is the legislative vehicle that enables the UK to leave the European Union with a deal – the Withdrawal Agreement. Essentially, this bill is the legal foundation for the UK`s departure from the EU, and it lays out the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, which outlines the UK`s future relationship with the EU.

What is in the Withdrawal Agreement?

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK`s departure from the EU, including issues such as citizens` rights, the financial settlement, and the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

One of the key aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement is the transition period, which will run until the end of December 2020. During this period, the UK will continue to follow EU rules and regulations while negotiating a new trade deal with the EU.

Why is the Withdrawal Agreement contentious?

The Withdrawal Agreement has been a contentious issue in Parliament due to the so-called “backstop” arrangement, which was designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Under the backstop, the whole of the UK would remain in a customs union with the EU until a new trade deal is agreed upon.

Many MPs, particularly those who support Brexit, have argued that the backstop arrangement would keep the UK too closely tied to the EU and could prevent the UK from striking new trade deals around the world.

What happens next?

The Withdrawal Agreement Bill has now passed through Parliament and received royal assent. The UK left the EU on January 31, 2020 and is now in a transition period until the end of the year.

During this time, the UK and the EU will negotiate a new trade deal, and it remains to be seen what this will entail. One thing is certain – the Withdrawal Agreement Bill will be instrumental in shaping the UK`s future relationship with the European Union.

In conclusion, the Withdrawal Agreement Bill is a complex document that lays out the terms of the UK`s departure from the European Union. Although it has been a contentious issue in Parliament, it has now become law and will play a significant role in shaping the UK`s future relationship with the EU.

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