Details of the new brexit deal 17 october 2019

On October 17, 2019, the United Kingdom and the European Union announced a revised Brexit deal, which was agreed upon after several months of negotiations. Here are the key details of the new deal:

Withdrawal Agreement:

  1. Transition Period: The transition period, also known as the implementation period, will last from January 31, 2020, to December 31, 2020. During this period, the UK will remain in the EU's customs union and single market, with some exceptions.
  2. Irish Backstop: The Irish backstop, which was a major sticking point in previous negotiations, has been replaced with a new arrangement. The UK and EU have agreed to create a "single customs territory" between them, which will ensure that there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.
  3. Northern Ireland Protocol: The Northern Ireland Protocol will ensure that Northern Ireland remains aligned with the EU's customs and regulatory policies, while the rest of the UK will not. This will create a regulatory border in the Irish Sea, with Northern Ireland following EU rules and the rest of the UK following its own rules.

Political Declaration:

  1. Future Relationship: The Political Declaration sets out the UK and EU's intentions for their future relationship, including cooperation on trade, security, and other areas.
  2. Free Trade Agreement: The UK and EU have agreed to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of 2020, which will cover trade in goods and services.
  3. Security Cooperation: The UK and EU have agreed to cooperate on security issues, including counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and defense.

Other Key Provisions:

  1. Citizens' Rights: The deal ensures the rights of UK and EU citizens living in each other's territories, including the right to live, work, and study.
  2. Financial Settlement: The UK has agreed to pay a financial settlement to the EU, estimated to be around £39 billion, to cover its outstanding commitments and liabilities.
  3. Good Friday Agreement: The deal ensures that the Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to Northern Ireland, will continue to be respected and implemented.

Next Steps:

  1. Parliamentary Approval: The revised Brexit deal must be approved by the UK Parliament before it can come into effect.
  2. European Parliament Approval: The deal must also be approved by the European Parliament before it can come into effect.
  3. Transition Period: The transition period will begin on January 31, 2020, and will last for 11 months, during which time the UK and EU will negotiate their future relationship.

Overall, the revised Brexit deal aims to provide a smoother transition for the UK's departure from the EU, while also addressing the concerns of the Irish government and the EU. However, the deal still faces significant challenges, including opposition from some MPs in the UK Parliament and the need for approval from the European Parliament.