Royal Assent means Brexit all set for New Year’s Day

Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Assent to the Brexit Bill handed speedily by each Houses of Parliament on Wednesday means the UK is all set to formally exit the European Union (EU), with New Year’s Day on Friday marking what UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has dubbed as a “new beginning”.
Johnson thanked parliamentarians and friends for passing the European Union (Future Relationship) Bill in someday, in an announcement urging the nation to “seize” the second when the transition interval with the 27-member financial bloc involves an finish at 2300 GMT on Thursday.
“The destiny of this great country now resides firmly in our hands. We take on this duty with a sense of purpose and with the interests of the British public at the heart of everything we do,” mentioned Johnson.
“11 pm on December 31 marks a new beginning in our country’s history and a new relationship with the EU as their biggest ally. This moment is finally upon us and now is the time to seize it,” he mentioned.
The House of Lords gave the invoice an unopposed “third reading” late on Wednesday throughout a particular recall of Parliament from its Christmas break, permitting MPs to debate after which cross the invoice 521 votes to 73 – an amazing majority of 448. It comes four-and-a-half years after the Brexit referendum vote to take the UK out of the EU in June 2016, a interval marked by serial resignations and parliamentary defeats confronted by Johnson’s predecessors Theresa May and David Cameron.
“I think frankly we got Brexit done, let’s keep Brexit done… and let’s press ahead with this government’s mission to unite and level-up across our whole country and grasp the opportunities before us,” mentioned Johnson, who had gained a majority in a basic election in December 2019 on the pledge of getting Brexit achieved.
The Opposition Labour Party did not amend the invoice to incorporate further protections for staff’ rights and environmental requirements and assist for enterprise preparedness. Labour chief Keir Starmer described the deal as “thin”, however mentioned Labour would again it as a result of the choice could be devastating for the UK.
The parliamentary backing got here after the commerce pact struck between the 2 sides was formally signed and flown down from Brussels to the UK. Johnson then added his formal signature to the free commerce settlement for it to return into drive for the New Year.