The Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by former British Prime Minister Theresa May has been a contentious issue ever since it was first proposed. The deal, which aimed to set out the terms of the UK`s departure from the European Union (EU), was rejected by Parliament three times and ultimately led to May`s resignation. So, what exactly is wrong with May`s Withdrawal Agreement?
1. The Irish Backstop
One of the key issues with May`s deal is the inclusion of the Irish backstop. This is a plan to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (an EU member) after Brexit. The backstop would keep the UK in a customs union with the EU until a permanent solution was found. Many MPs argued that the backstop would keep the UK tied to the EU indefinitely and that it could be used to trap the country in a customs union.
2. Lack of Control
Another issue with May`s deal is the lack of control it gives the UK over its own affairs. The deal would have seen the UK remain subject to many EU rules and regulations, without having any say in their creation or revision. This would have led to the UK being a “rule-taker,” with no real control over its own laws.
3. Leaving the Customs Union
May`s deal also faced criticism for not fully taking the UK out of the EU`s customs union. While the UK would have been able to strike trade deals with other countries, it would still have been subject to EU tariffs and unable to fully control its own trade policy.
4. The Cost
May`s deal was also criticized for the cost of leaving the EU. The UK would have had to pay a divorce bill of around £39 billion to the EU, with no guarantees of a trade deal in return. Many MPs argued that this was an unreasonable amount to pay and that the UK should have been able to negotiate a better deal.
5. Lack of Consensus
Finally, May`s deal was opposed by MPs on both sides of the Brexit debate. Remainers argued that it would damage the UK`s economy and leave the country worse off, while Brexiteers argued that it would keep the UK too closely tied to the EU. Without a consensus on the best way forward, May`s deal was always going to struggle to gain enough support in Parliament to pass.
In conclusion, May`s Withdrawal Agreement faced a number of issues, including the controversial Irish backstop, lack of control over the UK`s affairs, and the cost of leaving the EU. Ultimately, these issues led to the rejection of the deal by MPs and May`s resignation. The search for a new Brexit deal continues, with the hope that a more acceptable solution can be found.