On Wednesday, October 2nd, Britain's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will present his final Brexit proposal to the European Union.
Johnson made the announcement at an annual meeting with members of his Conservative Party.
Wednesday’s meeting will be Britain’s fourth and possibly last attempt to reach a divorce agreement with the EU.
The most contentious issue on the table is the Irish border. The European Union wants to implement a hard border policy between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland—to completely cut Britain off from the EU's free-market system.
Britain, on the other hand, wants to preserve its long-standing open border policy that was put in place after the Irish civil war split the once unified island in half.
Deal or no deal, Johnson has vowed to pull Britain out of its 46-year-old agreement, on October 31st of this year.
"We will keep fighting to respect the biggest democratic vote in British history. The EU is obliged by EU law only to negotiate with member state governments, they cannot negotiate with parliament, and this government will not negotiate delay,” Johnson said.
British MPs haven’t been happy with Johnson’s handling of the negotiations so far. Johnson’s failed attempt to temporarily suspend parliament, in hopes of avoiding a vote in the House on his Brexit plan, sparked anger in parliament, division in his party, and calls of resignation from the public.
If an agreement between Johnson and the EU is reached, the proposal will make its way to the House of Commons for a final vote. If the House or the EU rejects Johnson’s offer, under Britain’s newly passed law, Johnson will be forced to ask the EU for an extension.
By: Niza Nondo
Comments