Politics

Boris Johnson hails ‘new dawn’ for Britain as MPs prepare to vote on Brexit Bill



Boris Johnson has hailed a “new dawn” for Britain as he prepares to bring his Brexit Bill back to the Commons.

The Prime Minister said he will “finish the job” that was started in 2016 and give “certainty” to businesses and the country by passing his Withdrawal Agreement in January.

Mr Johnson is set to bring back the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill before MPs for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday afternoon.

After his Conservative Party won a landslide at the General Election with an 80-seat majority, the vote is expected to pass without a hitch for the Government.

Boris Johnson waves as he arrives at Downing Street (REUTERS)

The Bill will then complete its remaining legal stages in both Houses of Parliament and be given Royal Assent in the New Year. This would pave the way for the UK to leave the EU by the promised January 31 deadline.

Mr Johnson said: “Today we will deliver on the promise we made to the people and get the Brexit vote wrapped up for Christmas.

“Now MPs will start the process of passing the Bill. Then, at the beginning of the new decade, at the beginning of a new dawn for our country, our parliamentarians will return to Westminster to immediately finish the job, take us out of the EU on January 31 and move this country forward.

Boris Johnson hails new Parliament as ‘a vast improvement’

“After years of delay and rancour in Parliament, we will deliver certainty and hard-working businesses and people across this country will have a firm foundation on which to plan for the future.

“Next year will be a great year for our country – the year we get Brexit done, boost NHS funding, invest in infrastructure and level up access to opportunity and prosperity across our great nation.

“It will mark the start of a new decade where the United Kingdom will champion trade, innovation and science and meet global challenges with old friends and new across the world.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Britain’s Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Changes have been made to the Bill since it was last before the Commons in October.

Mr Johnson inserted a clause that will legally prohibit his Government from extending the transition period – the 11-months buffer during which his team will look to negotiate a trade deal with Brussels – beyond 2020.

The text will also boost the power of UK courts, giving judges the ability to overrule judgments made by the European Court of Justice.

Parliament will also be given “greater oversight” of the withdrawal process, according to Downing Street, with a requirement for ministers to report annually on disputes with the EU after Britain has left.

Ministers also intend to repeal Brexit-delaying legislation, known as the Cooper Act and the Benn Act, that “now serves no purpose”, said Number 10.

“Our commitment to continue the highest standards on workers’ rights, environmental standards and consumer protections will be honoured by provisions in separate legislation, including the Employment Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech,” said a Downing Street spokesman.



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