[ad_1]
Copyright of the image
Getty Images
Theresa May has written a letter to the British public asking her to support her agreement on Brexit, as the EU prepares to officially sign it.
The prime minister said his agreement promised a "better future" in the UK and that leaving the EU next year would be "a moment of renewal and reconciliation for our country as a whole. ".
EU leaders are in Brussels for a summit in order to decide whether to approve the agreement or not.
The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has recommended to all countries to approve it.
Spain – which had threatened to boycott the summit – will participate after the resolution of a last-minute dispute over Gibraltar.
However, even if the EU accepts the agreement, it must be adopted by the British Parliament and many MPs – including within May's conservative party – have declared that they would vote against.
What does the Prime Minister's letter say?
In May's "letter to the nation" – published on the eve of the EU summit where she hopes the 27 other EU countries will support her agreement – the Prime Minister says that this deal is "in our national interest" and works for all parts of the world. UNITED KINGDOM.
Leaving the EU on March 29, 2019 will mark "a new chapter in our national life," she said.
"This must be the point when we put aside the labels" Leave "and" Stay "for good and we meet again as one people.
"To do that, we must now agree on Brexit by subscribing to this agreement."
Prime Minister said that she would campaign "with [her] heart and soul "for MPs to agree in the House of Commons and" honor the outcome of the referendum ".
She said the agreement responds to Brexit by ending the free movement of people and the "large" annual payments to the EU.
"Once Brexit is settled," the government will be able to focus on issues such as the economy, the NHS and housing construction, she added.
Analysis by BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg
The end of the negotiations. But that's not the end of Theresa May's arguments about our relationship with the rest of the continent.
Today – Number 10 hopes – marks the end of months and years of negotiations, not only with Brussels. But with a greater aspiration: to bring the country closer.
But, while an agreement is expected to be signed in Brussels today, regardless of the last-minute nervousness, Theresa May will know, presenting her agreement to the EU is one thing, persuading Parliament from another.
In the end, what will determine it, as well as that of our future, is if the public is ready to join us.
What will happen at the top?
On Sunday morning, EU leaders will be asked to approve two key Brexit documents:
- The political declaration, which defines the relations that may exist between the United Kingdom and the European Union after Brexit, describes how trade and security between the EU and the UK will work.
- The EU withdrawal agreement: a legally binding 585-page document setting out the terms of the UK's exit from the EU. It covers the UK's "divorce bill", with 39 billion pounds sterling, the rights of citizens and the "support" of Northern Ireland – a way to keep the border open with the Republic of Ireland, if trade negotiations stop.
There is no formal vote on Sunday, but the EU plans to proceed after reaching a consensus, agreement that can be approved.
Multimedia playback is not supported on your device
What happens next?
If the EU signs the withdrawal agreement, Ms. May will then have to convince members of the British Parliament to support it.
A vote is expected in December. Labor, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and the DUP all said that they would vote against the government's agreement, as well as many Conservatives.
The agreement will also have to come back to the European Council, where a majority of countries (20 out of 27) will have to vote in favor. It will also have to be ratified by the European Parliament.
If members refuse to agree, a number of things could happen, including leaving without any agreement, an attempt at renegotiation or a general election.
According to the Sunday Times, Chancellor Philip Hammond is working with other cabinet ministers to try to persuade Ms May to opt for a more moderate Brexit deal, which they say could be passed by Parliament if his initial agreement was rejected.
And the Sunday Telegraph announced that several high-ranking ministers were preparing a plan B – for a Norwegian-type relationship with the EU.
Please update your browser
What do Ms. May's critics say?
Labor MP Ian Murray called the 800-word letter "fictional" and described Ms. May as "hopeless".
He repeated the words of Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had previously described the deal as "the worst of both worlds".
Meanwhile, writing in the Sunday Express, Tory Brexiteer leader Jacob Rees-Mogg – who had previously called for May's replacement as leader of the party – said the deal "does not hold Brexit ".
Former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that the UK was about to "make a historic mistake" and that there was still time to work for a better deal.
Why was Spain unhappy?
Spain has threatened not to be concerned about its role in future trade deals for Gibraltar, a British overseas territory with 30,000 residents.
But he gave up his threat after declaring he had received assurances from the UK.
- Gibraltar: What does this have to do with Brexit?
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed that the UK and the European Union had accepted his requirements, but BBC Europe correspondent Kevin Connolly said the UK's insurance did not contain any substantial difference by report to the withdrawal agreement.
He added that it was suspected the Spanish ministers of "making a little noise for the national electorate" on the eve of elections in southern Spain.
