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Breakdown: What is the Brexit...

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Breakdown: What is the Brexit deal, and what does it mean?

Square1
iRadio

03:39 15 Nov 2018


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Image: https://www.aljazeera.com/

The saga is still far from over.

As you have more than likely heard, Teresa May has secured a Brexit divorce settlement.

However it has caused absolute mayhem in the British parliament despite the UK PM claiming the deal delivers on her pledge to take back control of laws, borders and money.

So what does it all mean exactly?

The deal.

As things stand, both the EU and the UK will sign an agreement which outlines Britain's departure from the European Union.

The document ensures the UK will pay the EU £39bn - to cover payments to the current EU budget and other outstanding financial commitments.

A backstop clause will also tie the whole of the UK to EU rules and regulations to avoid a hard border emerging in Ireland.

EU citizens' rights will be guaranteed and legally enforced by the Withdrawal Agreement, with those who wish to stay in the UK invited to apply for "Special Status."

The draft deal can be read in full HERE.

Where do things go now?

President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has signaled that a Brexit summit with the EU's 27 leaders will be held on November 25 to approve the deal from their end unless something "extraordinary" happens.

After that happens, focus would turn to making sure all the legislative arrangements for the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union are in place in time for March 29th 2019.

Can the deal be stopped?

Yes.

Some members of Teresa May's own party and the DUP in Northern Ireland aren't happy with the proposed deal.

According to reports, it will have a review mechanism for the backstop with "deeper" provisions for Northern Ireland on customs.

Boris Johnson has dismissed it as "utterly unacceptable", while Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he hopes the cabinet will block it if Parliament does not.

Summary.

Teresa May seems to have convinced most of the Cabinet to accept her deal.

But once it enters the house Commons, things become a whole lot less certain.

The saga is still far from over.


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