The BBC News Withdrawal Agreement Explained
The Withdrawal Agreement is a document agreed upon between the European Union and the United Kingdom that outlines the terms of the UK`s departure from the EU. The agreement covers a range of topics, including the financial settlement, citizens` rights, and the Irish border.
One of the most controversial aspects of the agreement is the so-called “backstop” for the Irish border. This refers to a provision that would prevent a hard border being reimposed between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland even if no trade deal is reached between the UK and the EU in the future. This has been a major sticking point in the negotiations, with critics arguing that it could tie the UK to the EU indefinitely.
The Withdrawal Agreement has faced a number of challenges since it was agreed upon in November 2018. It was rejected three times by the UK Parliament, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May and the appointment of her successor Boris Johnson.
Johnson has been a vocal critic of the agreement, arguing that it would undermine the UK`s ability to negotiate its own trade deals and would leave the country too closely tied to the EU. He has repeatedly called for the backstop to be removed from the agreement, but the EU has refused to budge on this issue.
The Withdrawal Agreement was due to come into effect on 29 March 2019, but this deadline has been extended twice – first to 12 April 2019 and then to 31 October 2019 – to allow more time for negotiations.
At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal. Johnson has stated that he is committed to leaving on 31 October “do or die”, but he has also expressed a willingness to negotiate a new deal with the EU if certain conditions are met.
In conclusion, the BBC News Withdrawal Agreement is a complex document that covers a range of issues related to the UK`s departure from the EU. While it has faced significant opposition and challenges, it remains the only agreed-upon framework for the UK`s exit from the EU, and its ultimate fate will have significant implications for the future of both the UK and the EU.