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Theresa May's new Brexit deal: point-by-point analysis | Theresa May's new Brexit deal: point-by-point analysis |
(32 minutes later) | |
1. Alternative arrangements | 1. Alternative arrangements |
What is it? A pledge to seek another way to solve the Northern Irish backstop conundrum by finding different border plans, most likely involving technology, before the backstop deadline of December 2020. | |
Who will like it? It is aimed at Tory Brexiters and the Democratic Unionist party, but the pledge is not new and too woolly to be worth much. | |
2. Keeping Northern Ireland aligned | 2. Keeping Northern Ireland aligned |
What is it? A promise that if the backstop does come into force, Northern Ireland will stay aligned with the rest of the UK on regulations and customs rather than be separated by a border in the Irish Sea. | |
Who will like it? See point one. This is aimed at the same people, and they will be similarly underwhelmed. | Who will like it? See point one. This is aimed at the same people, and they will be similarly underwhelmed. |
3. MPs’ approval | 3. MPs’ approval |
What is it? It says “negotiating objectives and final treaties” must be approved by MPs. | What is it? It says “negotiating objectives and final treaties” must be approved by MPs. |
Who will like it? In theory, a broad range of MPs will be encouraged by this guarantee of their role. In reality, it makes little difference. | Who will like it? In theory, a broad range of MPs will be encouraged by this guarantee of their role. In reality, it makes little difference. |
4. Workers’ rights | 4. Workers’ rights |
What is it? A promised new bill guaranteeing that workers’ rights in the UK will not lag behind those in the EU. | What is it? A promised new bill guaranteeing that workers’ rights in the UK will not lag behind those in the EU. |
Who will like it? Labour MPs in leave seats, although this has already been promised several times and is thus factored in. | Who will like it? Labour MPs in leave seats, although this has already been promised several times and is thus factored in. |
5. Environmental protection | 5. Environmental protection |
What is it? Similar to the above point, a guarantee that standards will not dip below EU ones, with a new independent watchdog to monitor this. | What is it? Similar to the above point, a guarantee that standards will not dip below EU ones, with a new independent watchdog to monitor this. |
Who will like it? Mainly Labour MPs and green-minded Tories, though again, apart from the promised watchdog, this is nothing new. | Who will like it? Mainly Labour MPs and green-minded Tories, though again, apart from the promised watchdog, this is nothing new. |
6. Frictionless trade | 6. Frictionless trade |
What is it? A promise to seek “as close to frictionless trade in goods with the EU as possible while outside the single market and ending free movement”. | What is it? A promise to seek “as close to frictionless trade in goods with the EU as possible while outside the single market and ending free movement”. |
Who will like it? This is essentially a restatement of the blindingly obvious implied by May’s longstanding commitments, so it’s hard to see how it will impress anyone. | Who will like it? This is essentially a restatement of the blindingly obvious implied by May’s longstanding commitments, so it’s hard to see how it will impress anyone. |
7. Just-in time supply chains | 7. Just-in time supply chains |
What is it? A pledge to match EU rules for goods and agrifood products that might otherwise face border checks, thus avoiding excess delays for businesses. | What is it? A pledge to match EU rules for goods and agrifood products that might otherwise face border checks, thus avoiding excess delays for businesses. |
Who will like it? As with six, it’s not so much that anyone will object to this as whether it can be delivered. | Who will like it? As with six, it’s not so much that anyone will object to this as whether it can be delivered. |
8. A ‘customs compromise’ | 8. A ‘customs compromise’ |
What is it? MPs will be allowed to decide on post-Brexit customs arrangements – but from a choice of a temporary customs unions or May’s existing plan for a “customs arrangement”. | |
Who will like it? Potentially, no one. Some Tories will dislike the prospect of even a temporary customs union; Labour MPs want a permanent one, which is not on offer. | Who will like it? Potentially, no one. Some Tories will dislike the prospect of even a temporary customs union; Labour MPs want a permanent one, which is not on offer. |
9. Second referendum | 9. Second referendum |
What is it? A guarantee of a Commons vote on whether the final deal should be subject to a confirmatory referendum. | |
Who will like it? Again, possibly not very many people. Opponents of a second referendum will dislike the concession; those who back the idea want a guarantee of a new public vote. | |
10. Changes to political declaration | 10. Changes to political declaration |
What is it? A “legal duty” to secure the necessary changes to the political declaration added to the deal with the EU to reflect the changes. | What is it? A “legal duty” to secure the necessary changes to the political declaration added to the deal with the EU to reflect the changes. |
Who will like it? This also seems like a completely obvious thing to do, raising the possibility it was mainly added to the list to round it up to 10. | |
Brexit | Brexit |
Theresa May | Theresa May |
Conservatives | Conservatives |
Foreign policy | Foreign policy |
Trade policy | Trade policy |
House of Commons | House of Commons |
analysis | analysis |
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