Brexit explained with 100 days to go: All your questions answered

James Morris19 December 2018
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Today marks just 100 days until Britain leaves the EU.

Despite having two-and-a-half years to prepare, Prime Minister Theresa May is arguably no closer to agreeing a workable Brexit deal than when she took the top job in summer 2016.

So, why is the issue still up in the air, and what could it mean for the UK?

Here is the Standard's simple guide to Brexit.

Theresa May, pictured dancing at the Conservative Party conference, has still not secured a Brexit deal 
AFP/Getty Images

What is Brexit?

Brexit is a blend of the words “British” and “exit”. It’s the process of Britain withdrawing its membership of the European Union (EU), which we joined 45 years ago.

What is the EU?

The EU is a political and economic partnership of 28 (to be 27 once Britain leaves) European countries. It has its own economic system, called the single market, which lays down standardised laws across all member nations. This includes arrangements like free movement of people and goods.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron called the referendum. After backing Remain, he resigned after the result in 2016 (PA)
PA Archive/PA Images

Why is the UK leaving the EU?

In the 2015 general election, the Conservative Party made a manifesto pledge to hold a referendum on Britain’s EU membership. After the Tories seized overall control of Parliament, the vote was eventually held in June 2016. Fifty-two per cent of the 33 million voters chose to Leave, with 48 per cent wanting to Remain.

When will Brexit happen?

Britain is set to leave the EU on March 29 next year, after the government triggered a piece of legislation called Article 50.

Theresa May on March 29, 2017, after she announced Article 50 had been triggered
PA

What is happening now?

A deal is yet to be passed. After two-and-a-half years of painstaking negotiations with EU leaders – and numerous political crises along the way – Prime Minister Mrs May presented her Withdrawal Agreement deal to Parliament last month. However, it was met with a rebellion from all sides of Parliament, including hardline Brexit supporters from her own Conservative Party.

What is the Withdrawal Agreement?

It encompasses how Britain will leave the EU, and its future relationship with member states. Key aspects include:

  • The Northern Irish "backstop", an insurance policy to avoid a return to border checks between Britain and EU member Ireland that could threaten the 1998 peace agreement.
  • Freedom of movement ending, with Britain free to set its own immigration rules.
  • A “transition period” of Britain remaining in the single market – and being bound by its rules – until the end of December 2020 while the two sides continue to work out a new trade relationship.
  • Britain paying a “divorce bill” as part of leaving the EU, covering things like existing commitments to EU programmes. It’s estimated to be about £39 billion.
Boris Johnson is among the Conservative MPs who have fought Mrs May's deal (Reuters)
REUTERS

Why is it so unpopular with critics?

The key sticking point is the backstop. Leading Brexiteers, like Boris Johnson, have said the EU would use the backstop to "blackmail" the UK “to get what they want out of the future trade negotiations”. The Democratic Unionist Party, which is propping up Mrs May’s minority government, fears it could align Northern Ireland more closely with the EU than the rest of the UK, and that it could threaten the country’s place in the UK altogether. Oppositions parties including Labour, the Scottish Nationalist Party and the Liberal Democrats have also refused to back the current deal.

When will MPs vote on Mrs May’s deal?

After Mrs May pulled the original vote last week, the Prime Minister confirmed Parliament will renew the debate on her Withdrawal Agreement in the week beginning January 7. A vote will finally take place in the week beginning January 14. No exact has been set.

Theresa May watches as Jeremy Corbyn announces he will table a motion of no confidence in her following delays to the Withdrawal Agreement vote
AFP/Getty Images

Is there any chance of Mrs May’s deal passing?

It remains unlikely at this stage. The Prime Minister has been forced to endure bruising sessions in the Commons as MPs from all parties have lined up to attack her deal – and her governance. Meanwhile, the European Commission continues to insist no changes can be made to her deal. This means Mrs May will struggle to make changes on sticking points such as the Irish backstop in order to appease Tory Brexiteers on her backbenches.

What will happen if the Withdrawal Agreement is voted down?

Brexit secretary Stephen Barclay has insisted that if MPs reject the deal, the government’s default option is to leave the EU without an exit agreement.

Stephen Barclay is the third Brexit secretary after the resignations of David Davis and Dominic Raab
AFP/Getty Images

What will happen in the event of a no deal Brexit?

The government has begun to ramp up its preparation for no deal after Cabinet ministers agreed they needed to make it a “priority”. Defence secretary Gavin Williamson, for instance, has said 3,500 troops will be on standby to support any government department with contingencies.

Is there any chance of a second referendum?

There has been a growing clamour across the political spectrum for a second referendum, this time deciding on the terms of Mrs May’s deal. However, the Prime Minister has been asked about this hundreds – possibly thousands – of times in the past two-and-a-half years. And each time, she has rejected the possibility, claiming the government must deliver on the will of the people in the 2016 referendum.

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