Unic Press UK: The European Council President, Donald Tusk has said that the European Union (EU) leaders have endorsed a deal for the United Kingdom to leave the bloc on October 31, 2019.
In his remarks after the meeting of the European Council (Art. 50) on 17 October 2019, President Donald Tusk said:
“We have concluded a discussion among the leaders about the Brexit deal that our negotiator agreed with the UK government earlier today… Firstly, the new version of the deal has been positively assessed by Ireland…. Secondly, the deal has been positively assessed by the European Commission. This gives us certainty that it is favourable and safe for the citizens of the European Union. The key change in comparison with the earlier version of the deal is Prime Minister Johnson’s acceptance to have customs checks at the points of entry into Northern Ireland. This compromise will allow us to avoid border checks between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and will ensure the integrity of the Single Market. The reality is that today we have a deal, which allows us to avoid chaos and an atmosphere of conflict between the EU27 and the United Kingdom. Therefore, the European Council invited the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to ensure that this agreement can enter into force on the 1st of November 2019. Now we are all waiting for the votes in both Parliaments.”
The battle to consummate this new exit deal has now moved to the UK Parliament, with a vote scheduled Saturday, October 19.
The UK public elects 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent their interests in the House of Commons. Of this number 650, the Prime Minister would be looking to muster at least 320 votes to win the backing of the Members of Parliament (MPs) as the Speaker and three deputies don’t vote and seven Sinn Fein MPs refuse to sit in Parliament.
Speaking on the newly agreed deal, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“This is our choice in the UK to as democrats to get Brexit done. And come out on October 31st. This is our chance to focus on our priorities, the people’s priorities… Now is the moment for our Parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done.“
We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control — now Parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities like the cost of living, the NHS, violent crime and our environment #GetBrexitDone #TakeBackControl pic.twitter.com/etNQNeIfgw
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 17, 2019
