The Withdrawal Agreement Bill has been a contentious issue in the UK since it was first introduced. The Bill, which outlines the terms of the UK`s departure from the European Union, has undergone multiple amendments by the House of Lords, with the most recent set of amendments causing quite a stir.
The Lords` amendments to the Bill include provisions such as requiring the government to negotiate a continued membership of the EU`s customs union, and granting EU citizens living in the UK the right to remain indefinitely. These amendments are seen as attempts to mitigate the potential harm to the UK`s economy and the uncertainty faced by EU citizens living in the country.
The government, on the other hand, has been pushing for a cleaner break from the EU, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson stating that the UK must leave the customs union and single market to fully realize the benefits of Brexit. The government has also argued that the Lords` amendments would undermine the UK`s negotiating position with the EU, as it would tie their hands in negotiations.
So what does this mean for the future of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill? The Bill will now go back to the House of Commons, where MPs will have to decide whether to accept the Lords` amendments or reject them. If the amendments are rejected, the Bill will go back to the Lords for further discussion.
With Brexit looming and the UK`s departure date set for January 31st, these amendments could have significant implications for both the UK and the EU. It remains to be seen whether the government will be able to navigate these amendments and secure a smooth departure from the EU, or if the UK will face further uncertainty and turmoil in the coming weeks.