Brexit deal agreed, says Boris Johnson
New deal that scraps the backstop is ‘even worse’ than May’s attempt, says Jeremy Corbyn
A new Brexit deal between the UK and EU has been agreed, says Boris Johnson.
egotiating teams from the two sides have been working on the legal text and came to an agreement on Thursday morning. However, it will still need the approval of both the UK and European parliaments, says the BBC.
The Prime Minister said on Twitter: “We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The anti-democratic backstop has been abolished. The people of Northern Ireland will be in charge of the laws that they live by, and – unlike the backstop – will have the right to end the special arrangement if they so choose,” he added in a further tweet.
But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Johnson’s deal was “even worse” than that negotiated by Theresa May, saying it “should be rejected” by MPs.
And Brexit party leader Nigel Farage said the new deal was “not Brexit”.
But the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called it a “fair and balanced agreement”.
And European Council President Donald Tusk said: “It is high time to complete the withdrawal process and move on, as swiftly as possible, to the negotiation on the European Union’s future partnership with the United Kingdom,” The Guardian reports.
A deal had been expected today after Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, said last night that an agreement was all but agreed and ready for a formal sign-off today, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the “final sprint” had made her confident of a breakthrough.
However, the Prime Minister’s progress with Brussels could stall back in Westminster, where Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has so far refused to sign off on Johnson’s draft agreement.
The DUP released a statement saying it could not back proposals “as things stand”, and - after Johnson’s announcement - said that statement “still stands”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Numerically, the DUP is seen as crucial because its own direct influence is enhanced by the promises of several Brexiteer MPs that they will only vote for a deal if the unionist party backs it.
The DUP continues to have reservations over the plans for the Irish border question, including how much say it will have over the arrangements in the future, and a late row over whether EU rates of VAT should apply in Northern Ireland is also proving an obstacle.
MPs could now decide later today whether the Commons will sit this Saturday after the EU summit, so Johnson can put his deal to MPs.
This Saturday is seen as a huge milestone for the PM because the Benn Act, passed by MPs trying to prevent a no-deal Brexit, legally obliges him to write to the EU asking for a delay if parliament does not agree to a deal by then.
One EU ambassador said a political rather than legal agreement was the most that could be hoped for this week, explaining: “We have not seen texts and done legal scrubbing. We will need more time for that.”
They added: “It is too late to give a final ‘yes’ tomorrow. We can give a political ‘yes’ and then come back to it.”
If they are right, Johnson looks set to be forced to break his “do or die” pledge to take Britain out of the EU by 31 October.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'United States of Anxiety'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Langdale Chase Hotel: a cosy nook in the Lake District
The Week Recommends This Victorian villa has breathtaking views and expansive gardens
By Natasha Langan Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will voter apathy and low turnout blight the election?
Today's Big Question Belief that result is 'foregone conclusion', or that politicians can't be trusted, could exacerbate long-term turnout decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published