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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: Cabinet backs draft agreement | Brexit: Cabinet backs draft agreement |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The cabinet has backed a draft withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU, Theresa May has said. | The cabinet has backed a draft withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU, Theresa May has said. |
| The prime minister was speaking after what she said was a "long, detailed and impassioned debate" in a five-hour cabinet meeting. | The prime minister was speaking after what she said was a "long, detailed and impassioned debate" in a five-hour cabinet meeting. |
| She said it was a "decisive step" in the progress of Brexit, and would allow the agreement to be finalised. | She said it was a "decisive step" in the progress of Brexit, and would allow the agreement to be finalised. |
| The EU's chief negotiator said it was in both sides' interests. | The EU's chief negotiator said it was in both sides' interests. |
| But leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg described it as a "rotten deal". | But leading Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg described it as a "rotten deal". |
| BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the cabinet was "certainly not unanimous", with nine ministers speaking out against the deal. | BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said the cabinet was "certainly not unanimous", with nine ministers speaking out against the deal. |
| In her statement outside Downing Street, Mrs May said the agreed package was "the result of thousands of hours of hard negotiation with EU officials". | In her statement outside Downing Street, Mrs May said the agreed package was "the result of thousands of hours of hard negotiation with EU officials". |
| She believed that "this decisive choice is in the best interests of the entire UK", adding: "When you strip away the detail, the choice before us is clear. | She believed that "this decisive choice is in the best interests of the entire UK", adding: "When you strip away the detail, the choice before us is clear. |
| "This deal, which delivers on the vote of the referendum, which brings back control of our money, laws and borders, ends free movement, protects jobs, security and our Union; or leave with no deal, or no Brexit at all." | "This deal, which delivers on the vote of the referendum, which brings back control of our money, laws and borders, ends free movement, protects jobs, security and our Union; or leave with no deal, or no Brexit at all." |
| The 585-page draft withdrawal agreement has now been published, alongside a shorter statement setting out what the UK and EU's future relations will look like. | The 585-page draft withdrawal agreement has now been published, alongside a shorter statement setting out what the UK and EU's future relations will look like. |
| What's in it? | What's in it? |
| The withdrawal agreement covers so-called "divorce" issues. It includes a commitment to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons living in the EU to continue living, working and studying. | The withdrawal agreement covers so-called "divorce" issues. It includes a commitment to protect the rights of EU nationals in the UK and Britons living in the EU to continue living, working and studying. |
| There is also a planned 21-month transition period after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019, and a "financial settlement" from the UK, thought to be between £35bn and £39bn. | |
| The most contentious part of the negotiations is a "backstop", which aims to guarantee that physical checks will not be reintroduced at the border with the Irish Republic, in the event this is not settled by a UK-EU trade deal. | The most contentious part of the negotiations is a "backstop", which aims to guarantee that physical checks will not be reintroduced at the border with the Irish Republic, in the event this is not settled by a UK-EU trade deal. |
| Both sides have resolved to ensure the backstop is not necessary by coming up with alternative arrangements. | Both sides have resolved to ensure the backstop is not necessary by coming up with alternative arrangements. |
| Speaking at a press conference, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said if this is not possible by July 2020, the transition period could be extended - and if it is still not settled by the end of the transition, the backstop would "kick in". | Speaking at a press conference, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said if this is not possible by July 2020, the transition period could be extended - and if it is still not settled by the end of the transition, the backstop would "kick in". |
| This would involve a joint UK-EU "single customs territory", so customs checks are not needed on the border. | This would involve a joint UK-EU "single customs territory", so customs checks are not needed on the border. |
| Northern Ireland would stay aligned to the EU single market rules that are "essential for the avoidance of a hard border", Mr Barnier added, saying the backstop plan was based on the UK's proposal. | Northern Ireland would stay aligned to the EU single market rules that are "essential for the avoidance of a hard border", Mr Barnier added, saying the backstop plan was based on the UK's proposal. |
| The reaction | The reaction |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he did not think the agreement was in the national interest because it "doesn't meet the needs of all parts of Britain". | |
| Labour would reveal during Thursday morning's Commons statement whether it will vote against the agreement, he said. | |
| Some Tory MPs are angry, claiming it could mean the UK is tied to EU rules for years to come. | Some Tory MPs are angry, claiming it could mean the UK is tied to EU rules for years to come. |
| Earlier a senior Conservative told the BBC there could be a move to a vote of no-confidence in Mrs May, perhaps as soon as Thursday, | Earlier a senior Conservative told the BBC there could be a move to a vote of no-confidence in Mrs May, perhaps as soon as Thursday, |
| Meanwhile Mr Rees-Mogg, who has written to MPs urging them to oppose the proposals, told BBC Radio 5 Live it was "a pretty rotten deal", keeping the UK in the EU's customs union and "splitting up" the UK. | Meanwhile Mr Rees-Mogg, who has written to MPs urging them to oppose the proposals, told BBC Radio 5 Live it was "a pretty rotten deal", keeping the UK in the EU's customs union and "splitting up" the UK. |
| Despite winning the backing of her cabinet, the prime minister faces a battle to get the completed deal through Parliament. | Despite winning the backing of her cabinet, the prime minister faces a battle to get the completed deal through Parliament. |
| Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party - which gives the government the support it needs to win key votes - has joined opposition parties in criticising it. | Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party - which gives the government the support it needs to win key votes - has joined opposition parties in criticising it. |
| Senior DUP figures spent an hour in Theresa May's office after the publication of the draft text. | |
| Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This proposed deal would be a bad one for Scotland, taking us out of a single market eight times the size of the UK market alone and posing a huge threat to jobs, investment and living standards." | Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This proposed deal would be a bad one for Scotland, taking us out of a single market eight times the size of the UK market alone and posing a huge threat to jobs, investment and living standards." |
| Afterwards, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said there had been no cabinet resignations and appealed to Conservative MPs to support the package. | Afterwards, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said there had been no cabinet resignations and appealed to Conservative MPs to support the package. |
| What happens next? | |
| Theresa May is sure to face some hostile questioning when she faces MPs' questions on Thursday. | |
| Meanwhile, the EU has said "decisive progress" has now been made in the negotiations. | |
| This was the test required before it would call a special summit to agree the withdrawal plans, possibly later this month. | |
| After that, the government faces a crunch vote in Parliament where MPs will be asked to approve the plans. | |
| The UK is set to leave the EU on 29 March 2019 - at which point, if the withdrawal agreement has been ratified, the transition period begins. | |
| Do you have any questions about the draft withdrawal agreement? | Do you have any questions about the draft withdrawal agreement? |
| Use this form to ask your question: | Use this form to ask your question: |