Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit agreement reached a decisive first step in parliament on Friday December 20, putting Britain’s exit from the European Union on January 31 without delay. After three years of crisis and blockages following the 2016 referendum, the bubbling conservative leader won an overwhelming majority on December 12, opening a avenue for him to fulfill his promise to implement Brexit, approved at 52% by the British in June 2016.
Barely eight days later, the lower house of parliament met exceptionally on a Friday to start the adoption process before the Christmas break. It approved with 358 votes for (234 against) the bill translating into law the divorce agreement negotiated with Brussels. "We have taken a step closer to Brexit", welcomed Boris Johnson on Twitter.
"Important step"
After this first vote, the text should be the subject of more detailed debates from January 7 and a final adoption hoped by government from January 9. Once the Queen's assent has been received, it will only be necessary for the ratification of the European Parliament so that the United Kingdom leaves the European Union on January 31, after forty-seven years of a hectic life together and a divorce reported three times.
This text marks a turning point "In our national history" and should not "Not to be seen as the victory of one party over another"said Boris Johnson before the enthusiastic Conservative House of Commons before the vote. "It is time to act together (…) in renewed confidence in our national destiny", he continued, extolling the "National genius".
After Friday's vote, the new President of the European Council, Charles Michel, welcomed "An important step" and warned that a "Fair competition" was to form the basis of the relationship to be forged by the UK and the 27 after Brexit. The official date of the divorce will indeed kick off a period of negotiation at no charge to tie up a free trade agreement.
