The heads of government of the countries in the European Union (EU) have given their blessing on the Brexit agreement. The British public has now received a letter from Prime Minister Theresa May asking for support for the agreement. That's what Business Insider says.
May and the leaders of the countries in the EU were at a summit in Brussels on Sunday, November 25, where they agreed to the divorce treaty and a political statement on the relationship after the departure of the United Kingdom (UK). The divorce deed regulates the rights of the citizens and the financial settlement. They are also expected to pay €40 billion to meet their membership obligations. The agreement also ensures that there will be no hard border between Ireland and the British Northern Ireland.
The British will leave the EU on Saturday 30 March 2019. After that, negotiations on the future relationship can begin. It should be as close as possible. But hard nuts still have to be cracked about fishing rights, for example. The agreement provides for a transition period until December 31, 2020, during which European legislation will continue to apply and they will continue to contribute financially. This transition period can be extended to 2 years.
A letter to the citizen
However, the biggest hurdle has yet to be overcome: the agreement must receive the green light from the European Parliament and the British Parliament. Several MPs in her own Conservative Party are strongly opposed to the agreement. The Northern Ireland DUP is also very critical. Party leader Arlene Foster said on Saturday 24 November that the party cannot and will not support the deed.
The Labor party is also against the deal. For the time being, therefore, there is no parliamentary majority. That is why May has appealed to the citizen. In a letter to the population, she wrote that supporters and opponents of Brexit should stop their struggle and use the departure from the EU as a period for renewal and reconciliation.
According to May, Brexit must be pushed through so that ministers can focus again on what is important for citizens. May, who, according to The Guardian, tries to pressure critical politicians through the letter, says he defends the deal with heart and soul. The Prime Minister: "March 29 is the point where we put the labels 'leave' and 'stay' aside forever and we come together as one people again," she writes.
It is not yet that far: the agreement will be presented to the British Parliament in December. If it is voted out of there, a chaotic period can follow. A no-deal Brexit is also a possibility. In that case, the British will leave the EU without clear agreements and both parties will fall back on the basic rules of the World Trade Organization.
May will defend the deal with all her heart in the coming weeks, in the British Parliament and beyond. "Today marks the beginning of that crucial national debate." Like many EU leaders, she spoke in Brussels of the best possible deal.
For Christmas
The parliament will vote on the divorce treaty and the declaration on the future relationship before Christmas. "It's one of the most important votes ever. It's in the national interest to get behind it," May said. "This deal puts us on course for the future. Our best days are ahead of us."
May declined to say whether she would resign if parliament votes against the deal. A second referendum is in any case not an option, she says.
Read more on Business Insider:
- UK government backs May's Brexit deal, but not wholeheartedly
- Why the border with Northern Ireland is such a problem
- Interest rates are rising rapidly worldwide, but these opportunities are there
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