By Elishya Perera
LONDON (CWBN)_ As parliament is being recalled a day before the UK severs ties with the European Union, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will urge MPs to back his post-Brexit trade deal with the bloc.
The Prime Minister is expected to note that the deal will enable the UK to take control of its laws and national destiny, but would also stress that the UK intends to be the best friend and ally of the EU.
After nine tortuous months, the deal hammered out with Brussels on Christmas Eve is expected to receive backing from Johnson’s large Commons majority, as well as the opposition Labour Party. Although Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the “thin” agreement does not do enough to protect jobs, workers’ rights and the environment, nonetheless, he is expected to order his MPs to vote for it, as the only other alternative of a no-deal exit would be even more damaging to the British economy.
In his speech opening the Commons debate, the Prime Minister is expected to highlight that a deal has been reached in record time, in less than a year, amidst constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson will also point out that the deal would enable the UK to trade and cooperate with its neighbours within Europe on the closest terms of friendship and goodwill, whilst retaining sovereign control of its laws and national destiny.
It is reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel are due to sign the international treaty ratifying the deal on Wednesday (Dec 30) morning in Brussels, and subsequently the document will be flown to Downing Street for PM Johnson to sign it.
While the parliament is Brussels has begun its scrutiny of the agreement, however, will be unable to ratify it before the Brexit transition period expires at midnight on Thursday. Nevertheless, ambassadors from the 27 nations and the member states have provided unanimous backing and provided written consent on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in London, MPs are set to debate the bill for five hours after which, a vote would lead the bill to the Lords, which is also expected to back it, before receiving Royal Assent.
The fact that a dreadful no-deal scenario has been avoided means that “many businesses across the country are now breathing a sigh of relief”, Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said. However, she added that “the government’s irresponsible, eleventh-hour approach to the negotiations” leaves a lot of uncertainty, with just days to go until the transition period expires.
The UK has secured more than 60 trade deals with countries around the world, since deciding to leave its trading arrangements with the European Union. Majority of these agreements have retained the same terms as before Brexit.
