How was it abject surrender?
What does the Brexit deal contain?
The long Withdrawal Agreement (on the terms of the UK’s exit) and shorter Political Declaration (on the future relationship) were the result of nearly two years of negotiations between London and Brussels. The deal was approved by the British government and the other 27 EU countries in November 2018
The legally-binding Withdrawal Agreement would establish a “transition or implementation period” to run after Brexit until the end of 2020, during which many existing arrangements would stay in place.
Although no longer an EU member, the UK would still have to conform to EU rules during this period. The transition can be extended “for up to one or two years”, with a decision taken by mutual consent before July 1, 2020.
Critics of the deal argue that far from taking back control — a key pro-Brexit referendum slogan — the UK would be surrendering it to the EU. It would be outside the EU’s institutions with no formal say over rules it would have to follow.
The advantage, however, it that this avoids a “cliff-edge” Brexit, giving people and businesses time to adapt to the UK outside the EU. It also allows more time to reach a final deal
Regarding the financial obligation the EU made it clear from the outset that it’s about settling the bill for commitments undertaken — and it’s been argued that to renege on these would seriously damage the UK’s international reputation.
The controversial part was tWithdrawal Agreement envisages a “backstop” mechanism to guarantee an open frontier between Northern Ireland in the UK, and EU member the Republic of Ireland. This is seen as necessary given the different tariffs and regulatory standards likely to result from the UK’s decision to leave the EU’s single market and customs union.
Under the deal, the whole of the UK would remain in a “single customs territory” – seen as a temporary customs union – with the EU until at least July 1, 2020. This could be extended or terminated, but only by mutual agreement. Tariff arrangements would be the same as now.
Note mutual consent
The lack of ability to leave the backstop unilaterally has particularly enraged the pro-Brexit camp. They have argued that UK independence is seriously compromised if customs union membership is indefinite.
The British government has said that this would be highly unlikely as neither side would want it. The EU is anxious to stop the UK exploiting backstop arrangements to engage in unfair competition via “back-door” customs union membership
How was it abject surrender?
“You’ll get the same deal you had before. You’ll still be subject to our dictates. Only now you don’t get a vote. AND you will need a permission slip from us before even thinking about leaving again.”
The only appropriate answer to that is “eff you”.