Brexit bill to rule out extension

The government is to add a new clause to the Brexit bill to rule out any extension to the transition period beyond the end of next year.

The post-Brexit transition period – due to conclude in December 2020 – can currently be extended by mutual agreement for up to two years.

But an amended Withdrawal Agreement Bill the Commons is set to vote on this week would rule out any extension.

The Prime Minister (PM) told Members of Parliament (MPs) it would put an end to three years of “deadlock and delay”.

As the House of Commons assembled for the first time since the election, Boris Johnson said his priority was to “get Brexit done”.

He also promised to seek “common ground” and to approach politics with a “new and generous spirit” after the rancour of recent years.

Jeremy Corbyn congratulated the Conservative leader on his victory but said he would be “judged” on whether he delivered on the “many, many promises” he made during the campaign, including to longstanding Labour voters.

The UK is set to leave the European Union (EU) on January 31, more than three and a half years after the public backed Brexit in a referendum.

Soon after, the two sides will begin talking about their future economic relationship, including controversial areas such as fishing rights, consumer and environmental standards and financial services.

Trade deals typically takes many years to conclude but senior Cabinet Minister Michael Gove insisted both the UK and the EU were “committed” to reaching an agreement by the end of 2020 in order to avoid disruption to business.

Critics say this raises the chance of leaving the EU without a trade deal.

This is a political signal, a moment of early chest beating too, designed to disappoint those who might have been hoping No 10 might slide to a softer Brexit over the next few months.

And designed to gratify those who are adamant that Brexit must be completely “done” as soon as possible.

Boris Johnson seems to have concluded that if the talks are to go anywhere fast, there has to be a convincing clear deadline. -BBC