The UK parliament approves the Brexit trade deal as both sides look to the future

Britain and the European Union signed the agreement on Wednesday and the British Parliament will complete its implementation, ending over four years of negotiations and safeguarding nearly $ 1 trillion in annual trade.

Both sides said it was an opportunity to start a new chapter in a relationship that had been formed as Europe was rebuilt after World War II, but which Britain has often seen as a trusted partner. the ever-tighter political and economic integration.

Johnson, in a specially convened parliamentary sitting, said he hoped to work “hand in hand” with the EU when his interests were aligned, exercising new sovereignty. Britain to reshape the British economy.

“Brexit is not the end but the beginning,” said Johnson. “We now have a responsibility to make the most of the powers we are recovering. tools we handed back. “

The lower house of Parliament voted 521 to 73 for the deal. The bill is now being debated by the upper house of parliament and should become law around midnight.

The agreement has been criticized in several ways since it was agreed in December. 24. Opposition Labor says it is too thin and does not protect trade in services, fishermen pretend Johnson has sold their interests, and Northern Ireland’s status remains below obedience of much uncertainty.

However, Johnson has the backing of his party’s hard-working Brexiteers – delivering a break with the EU far more radical than many thought when Britain shocked the world in 2016 by voting for leave.

Longtime eurosceptic lawyer Bill Cash said Johnson had saved British democracy from four decades of “obedience” to Brussels: “Like Alexander the Great, Boris has cut Gordian’s knot.”

Johnson said he hoped to end “an old, tired, anxious question about Britain’s political relationship with Europe” and instead became “the best friend and ally that the EU ”.

Earlier, against a backdrop of EU flags, top EU officials signed the treaties struck in December. 24 to maintain tax-free access and the British quota to 450 million users.

“It is very important for the European Union and the United Kingdom to look to the future, with a view to opening a new chapter in their relations,” the EU said in a statement.

The documents, bearing EU gold stars on a blue leather case, were handed to Johnson by the Royal British Army who signed them sitting at a desk in front of his own back of British flags.

“Did I read it? The answer is yes,” Johnson asked, holding a copy of the full 2,000-page document above.

Britain formally left the EU nearly a year ago and the new partnership agreement will govern ties from Jan. 1 on everything from trade to transport, energy links and fishing.

After all sides sign, the agreement will be in place until the end of February, awaiting final agreement with the European Parliament to make it permanent.