Brexit Deal Approved by the EU

An agreement on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has been approved by EU leaders on 25 November.

Following 20 months of negotiations, which have divided the UK, the deal was approved after less than an hour of discussions by 27 EU leaders. Describing the deal as the “best and only deal possible,” the EU hopes it will pave the way for an orderly withdrawal.

A 585-page withdrawal agreement and 26-page political declaration form the basis of the deal. They outline how important issues such as citizens’ rights, the Irish border, and trade will be handled when the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019.

The deal must still be approved by the UK parliament in early December, the result of which remains uncertain. Labour, the Lib Dems, the SNP, the DUP, as well as many Conservative MPs are likely to vote against it.

Many politicians are unhappy with the deal, believing that the UK will be worse off because of it. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn described the deal as “the worst of all worlds,” reaffirming that his party would oppose the deal.

However, Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, stated that anyone in Britain who believes that the bloc might offer improved terms if MPs reject the deal would be “disappointed.”

Speaking in Brussels, Theresa May called for both Leave and Remain voters to stand behind the agreement. The British public “do not want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit,” she insisted. Whether the agreement will be accepted by MPs, remains the be seen.

By Amy Jones 

Photo source: the Guardian