EU rejects the PM’s Brexit plan
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s current proposal for how the UK could leave the European Union (EU) with a deal has been rejected by EU leaders. The EU is an organisation of 28 European countries that work together and follow the same rules. The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October so time is running out for the two sides to agree a deal.
What’s the problem?
It’s mostly due to something called the Irish backstop. This is a plan to keep the shared border between Northern Ireland and the Ireland open so that people and goods travel freely across it after Brexit (the name for when the UK leaves the EU). Both countries currently follow EU trading rules, but after Brexit, Northern Ireland should follow the same rules as the rest of the UK. This means any goods crossing the border might have to be checked. Under a backstop arrangement, if the UK and EU can’t agree how to keep the border open, then the whole of the UK will have to follow EU trade rules until they can. Some Members of Parliament (MPs) say this means that the UK will have to follow EU rules for years.
What has the Prime Minister proposed?
Johnson doesn’t want to have a backstop. His plan is that Northern Ireland follows EU rules on some products, but others would have to be checked away from the border. There would also be checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Every four years, the government of Northern Ireland would vote on whether to continue with this arrangement.
How has the EU responded?
The EU has said that there will need to be “fundamental changes” to Johnson’s plan in order for a deal to be agreed. Many people worry that any checks along the Irish border will affect peace in the region, which has a troubled history.
What will happen next?
At the time The Week Junior went to press, talks between the UK and EU had stopped because they couldn’t come to an agreement. The EU will hold a summit on 17 and 18 October. This meeting is likely to be the last chance for the two sides to agree a deal before 31 October. On 19 October, the UK Parliament will meet to debate what happens next. If a deal is reached then Johnson will ask Members of Parliament (MPs) to approve it. Parliament has already passed a law saying that if Johnson hasn’t agreed a deal after the summit, he must ask the EU to delay Brexit. Johnson says he will respect the law, but also that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October.