EU Withdrawal Bill

After summer recess, Parliament is sitting again. This week looks set to be a busy week here in Westminster, with much of this week being dominated by the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The Bill will formally repeal the European Communities Act which took us into the EU and handed all those powers to EU courts forty five years ago.  It will be a major step towards re-establishing the UK as an independent, self-governing country free to make its own laws again.

The Bill will also place residual regulations onto a legitimate UK legal footing in order to provide clarity and continuity as we leave the EU. This will ensure that the UK has a functioning statute book when it leaves, and will minimise disruption to businesses and individuals. However, Parliament will be free to keep, amend and repeal laws as it sees fit after this date.

There have been tensions in the most recent phase of the negotiations with the EU but David Davis is right to resist demands from the EU for a huge cash gift as we leave.  The UK always fulfils its international obligations but these must be lawful.  The EU has failed to demonstrate any legal basis for its demands to date and its attempt to ignore important discussions on a future partnership until we agree to give them money makes no sense for the EU who depend on the UK market.  At some point, common sense should prevail. 

The Prime Minister has been clear that she wants us to put in place a close partnership with the EU based on friendship and cooperation. Our future relationship with the EU will include co-operating with our European partners in the fight against crime and terrorism. We will also collaborate on initiatives in areas such as science, research and technology.  Progress has been made in a lot of areas.  The important thing is that we stay focused on the prize of leaving the EU and becoming independent again but work hard to leave on friendly and amicable terms.