Politics

Boris publishes huge 110 page Brexit bill ahead of historic Commons clash today


Today’s vote on the withdrawal agreement will be a historic moment and major landmark in the Brexit process. The debate in the Commons on Tuesday evening will be the first time MPs have voted on concrete proposals for implementing a new relationship with the EU.The bill sets out how the Government intends to carry out Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal.

It is 110 pages long, with 124 pages of explanatory notes.

MPs have been given until Thursday to scrutinise it and vote on it. 

The Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) includes a provision to enable Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal to be ratified in time for the UK to leave with an agreement on October 31.

Under the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRAG), an international treaty – such as the Brexit deal – must be laid before Parliament for at least 21 sitting days before ratification to take place.

The Withdrawal Agreement has been published

The Withdrawal Agreement has been published (Image: EXPRESS)

However, in order for the Government’s timetable to be met, there is a provision in the WAB which “disapplies” the relevant section of the CRAG.

But some MPs have complained that the Government’s timetable, which aims to complete its Commons passage on Thursday, means there will not be time for proper scrutiny. 

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, said yesterday that parliament will have a final vote on the bill on Thursday, the last stage before it will be debated and voted upon in the House of Lords.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: “The second reading debate will be the normal second reading debate and will go to seven o’clock tomorrow.

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MPs will debate the Withdrawal Bill on Tuesday

MPs will debate the Withdrawal Bill on Tuesday (Image: TWITTER)

“On the second day, 12 hours of sitting divided into four sections of three hours with a specific section reserved, and the right honourable lady, the member for Broxtowe, might be pleased about this, with three hours specifically reserved for motions relating to a second referendum.

“So members who are concerned about that will have the opportunity to debate it.

“And then on Thursday, eight hours for proceedings on consideration up to and including third reading.”

On Tuesday, he said the Government wanted to have a second reading of the bill and then start the next stage, which will hand lawmakers the opportunity to propose changes to the legislation.

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Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs debate on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) would start on Tuesday

Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs debate on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) would start on Tuesday (Image: GETTY)

If they are successful it could pave the way for House of Lords to sit over the weekend in time for the Bill to receive its royal assent at the start of next week.

But they are likely to face opposition attempts to amend the legislation including the “programme motion” setting out the Commons timetable for the Bill.

Mr Rees-Mogg warned MPs that if the programme motion was defeated they would not be able to get it through Parliament in time for the UK to leave with a deal on October 31.

He said: “People who do not vote for the programme motion will not be voting for Brexit on October 31.”

The Speaker rejected a bid by ministers for a fresh meaningful vote

The Speaker rejected a bid by ministers for a fresh meaningful vote (Image: GETTY)

Earlier Commons Speaker John Bercow rejected a bid by ministers for a fresh meaningful vote on Mr Johnson’s agreement struck last week with Brussels.

Mr Bercow ruled the special Commons sitting on Saturday had voted to delay approval until the implementing legislation had been passed and that any further vote would be “repetitive and disorderly” under House rules.

He told the Commons: “Today’s motion is in substance the same as Saturday’s motion, and the House has decided the matter.”

Downing Street said ministers were “disappointed” with the Speaker’s ruling, and would now go ahead with the introduction of the WAB.

MPs voted in favour of the Letwin amendment on Super Saturday

MPs voted in favour of the Letwin amendment on Super Saturday (Image: GETTY)

Keir Starmer, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Secretary, was critical of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

He said: “This is a Bill to implement Boris Johnson’s deeply flawed plan for Brexit.

 “It is outrageous to deny Parliament the chance to scrutinise this incredibly important legislation properly. Ministers are trying to bounce MPs into signing off a Bill that could cause huge damage to our country. We can’t trust this Prime Minister.

 “The truth is Boris Johnson knows that the more time people have to read the small print of his deal, the more it will be exposed for the risks it represents to our economy and communities across the country.”

Boris Johnson faced defeat during a historic sitting of Parliament on Saturday

Boris Johnson faced defeat during a historic sitting of Parliament on Saturday (Image: GETTY)

The Liberal Democrat shadow Brexit secretary, Tom Brake, also had his say on the publication of the bill.

He said: “The Tory Brexit plan would hurt jobs, the environment and vital public services including the NHS.

“The Conservative government is trying to crash this bill through Parliament before anyone realises just how bad it is.

“MPs have had a chance to vote on Brexit again and again, yet as the Conservative government bring another withdrawal agreement to parliament they still refuse to let the people have the final say.

Keir Starmer has criticised the Withdrawal Agreement this evening

Keir Starmer has criticised the Withdrawal Agreement this evening (Image: GETTY)

“If parliamentarians can change their minds then the people should be able to too.

“Liberal Democrats will continue to fight to stop Brexit. Our priority is to secure a People’s Vote with the option to stay in the EU.”

Independent Group for Change MP Chris Leslie said the Government was “ramming through” the Bill.

He said: “We know for example that Commons committee stage of the Treaty of Rome was not three days, or two days, it was 22 days.

Boris Johnson promised to leave the EU on October 31

Boris Johnson promised to leave the EU on October 31 “do or die” (Image: EXPRESS)

“For the Maastricht Treaty, 23 days in committee stage. The Treaty of Lisbon 11 days. Treaty of Amsterdam five days.

“Then the Single European Act four days and then the smallest of them all the Treaty of Nice three days at committee, so in total five days of Commons consideration for the Treaty of Nice to be reformed.

“This is an unprecedentedly short period of time to dedicate to a massive and momentous piece of legislation.”

He added: “This motion that we are now debating, (is) the first in a series of attempts by the Government to stage what is essentially the ramming through of a piece of legislation, in I regard a disorderly way.”

The Letwin Amendment resulted in the vote on Boris's deal being delayed

The Letwin Amendment resulted in the vote on Boris’s deal being delayed (Image: GETTY)

Earlier, independent MP Ken Clarke said all-night Commons sittings were used when debating the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 and much time was given to the original European Communities Bill.

Other MPs reacted to the bill in a more light-hearted way. 

James Brokenshire tweeted: “Some light reading for this evening.”



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