Question: What compromises have been made to strike this deal?
Answer: It largely relates to Northern Ireland and its relationship with the EU following the UK's withdrawal. Since the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland share a border it means the UK has a land border with the EU.
The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 was designed to ensure there is an "invisible" border on the island of Ireland. This arrangement was possible because the Republic and the North were both members of the EU at the time. The UK leaving the EU meant it would be difficult to maintain this invisible border. Theresa May's withdrawal agreement, rejected three times in the House of Commons, proposed a backstop which would keep the UK in general in the customs union, and Northern Ireland in parts of the single market. Unionists rejected the idea of Northern Ireland being in the territory of the foreign power, dividing the Union. Brexiteers felt it meant the UK would still be in the EU in all but name.
This new deal does not have the backstop but instead opts for having:
- Northern Ireland remain aligned to certain EU rules, mostly on goods
- Northern Ireland stay in the UK's customs territory but continue to be an "entry point" into the EU' single market
- an agreement to continue the integrity of the single market and satisfy VAT concerns held by the UK
- Representatives for Northern Ireland will decide whether to continue the EU rules or not every four years
However, the DUP who offer a confidence and supply arrangement with Johnson in the House of Commons (although technically the Tories and DUP no longer have a majority) have said there are certain aspects of the new deal which they cannot support.
So it is not clear whether the changes in the agreement will result in a Commons majority for it and therefore the UK leaving with a deal.
Question: What are other concerns about the deal?
Answer: So called "level playing field" conditions - like worker's rights and environmental standards - have been moved out of the withdrawal agreement and put into the non-legal political declaration. According to human rights barrister Adam Wagner this makes these assurances "weaker". Politics.co.uk editor Ian Dunt thinks it allows Johnson to tell right-wing Brexiteers there could be movement on these issues while assuring Labour that the problems are solved.
They've been moved out of legal withdrawal agreement document and into non-legal political declaration, as a condition for a future trade deal.
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) October 17, 2019
The new deal also doesn't seem to give assurances on the kind of "softer" Brexit May had been pushing for. Sky News journalist Sam Coates argues the "legally binding commitments" on a level playing field have been kicked "down the road" and could result in either a softer or harder Brexit depending on what the Prime Minister is seeking.
Question: What does it mean for Scotland?
Answer: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says if this deal passes we are looking at a "much harder Brexit".
Scotland voted by 62% to Remain in the EU, so Sturgeon and the SNP will not back anything that removes the country from the EU, single market and customs union. They will not vote for the deal.
Sturgeon said: "It would leave us as only part of UK being taken out without consent and with no say on future relationship."
She added the deal proves the only way Scotland can take charge of its own future is through independence.
Question: Will it pass through the Commons?
Answer: Maybe. But it doesn't look that likely yet. The DUP will not vote with the Tories to get it through.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the deal as "worse" than May's. It looks like he will be getting his MPs to vote for the deal to be put into a public vote instead.
The SNP's leader has said she will not back it.
The LibDems may back the deal if it secures a second referendum.
It's unclear if the recently expelled Tory rebels will vote with their former party yet or not.
So, again. Maybe.
Question: If the deal can't get through the Commons, can it be agreed upon another way?
Answer: According to the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier this is a hypothetical question, and the Prime Minister has told him he thinks it will pass.
Earlier, Sky News political editor Beth Rigby reported that the Government says if the deal does not pass the UK will leave the EU without an agreement and will not delay the Brexit deadline further.
READ MORE: Brexit deal reached - but DUP say they won't back it
Technically, under the Benn Act, if no deal is agreed by October 19 the Prime Minister must seek an extension to Article 50 from the EU.
But if the Government believes it can take the UK out of the EU on October 31 without a deal or an extension, it looks like they may have found a way around that legislation.
Question: Could the deal be ratified at the EU summit today?
Answer: Barnier said there would not be any ratification at the council today. The European Council will instead give a favourable opinion on the recommendation and draft agreement, because ultimately it is a draft.
He added there would be "no surprises" and member states are well informed of the content of the deal. He also believes it can be ratified by 31 October.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel