The EU Withdrawal Agreement: Who Voted and What It Means for the UK
The EU Withdrawal Agreement has dominated British politics since the referendum vote in 2016. After years of negotiations, the deal was finally approved by the European Parliament on January 29th, 2020, with 621 votes in favor and 49 against.
But who voted in favor of the deal, and what does it mean for the UK?
First, let`s take a look at who supported the Withdrawal Agreement. The majority of MEPs from the European People`s Party (EPP), the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), and the Renew Europe group voted in favor of the deal. These groups include the majority of MEPs from the UK`s Conservative Party, as well as some members of the Liberal Democrats.
On the other hand, MEPs from the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) rejected the deal, along with some MEPs from the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group. These groups include the majority of MEPs from the UK`s opposition Labour Party and the Scottish National Party (SNP), as well as some members of the Liberal Democrats.
Now, let`s look at what the approval of the Withdrawal Agreement means for the UK. First and foremost, it means that the UK will officially leave the European Union on January 31st, 2020. However, the UK will enter into a transition period until December 31st, 2020, during which time it will continue to follow EU rules and regulations.
During the transition period, the UK and EU will negotiate the terms of their future relationship, including issues such as trade, security, and immigration. The UK has stated that it hopes to strike a free trade deal with the EU, but the details of such a deal remain uncertain.
Overall, the EU Withdrawal Agreement has been a controversial issue in British politics, with opinions divided along party lines. But with its approval by the European Parliament, the UK is now one step closer to officially leaving the EU and beginning a new chapter in its relationship with Europe.
