Until December 31, 2020, the UK will be part of a post-Brexit ‘implementation period’.
During this time, it will be up to Mr Johnson to secure a trade deal with the EU, which could involve close alignment with the EU – such as the ‘Norway’ model of Single Market membership except fisheries – or a more streamlined trade deal with certain elements of EU policy.
At the end of this period, in theory, the UK will begin its new agreement with the EU.
The Government has also stressed it will not seek an extension to this period of negotiation, so could in effect mean the Prime Minister takes the UK out of the EU without a deal – cliff-edge – if he cannot secure a suitable one.
