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Boris Johnson has called on hardline Eurosceptic Conservative MPs to back his post-Brexit trade deal in the 11-hour vote next week.
The prime minister admitted that “the devil is in the details” of the treated over 1000 pages It will take effect on January 1, but insisted it is “the right deal for the UK and the EU.”
He is expected to win comfortably when the deputies are removed from their Christmas holidays next Wednesday to ratify the text, which was published today by both parties.
MPs vote on the deal on Wednesday
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to support him and is expected to whip his MPs into doing the same, almost guaranteeing their approval.
But there are some on Johnson’s side who would like the UK to come out of the transition period without a deal, meaning that trade with Brussels would revert to the basic rules of the World Trade Organization.
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In an attempt to quell any potential rebellions, he claimed that the breakthrough in the negotiations on Christmas Eve was a victory and that the agreement “fulfilled every one of our manifesto commitments.”
“I believe that we now have a basis for long-term friendship and partnership with the EU as equal sovereigns,” the prime minister wrote in a WhatsApp message to MPs seen by Sky News.
“I know the devil is in the details, but I’m sure this can survive the most ruthless and talmudic scrutiny of the star chamber’s legal eagles.”
The so-called “star chamber” is a panel of lawyers assembled by the European Investigation Group, which includes veteran Brexiteer Sir Bill Cash, and is likely to meet tomorrow.
Some MPs are awaiting trial before deciding how to vote, and one told Sky News on Thursday that they “need to study the fine print before committing” and are still “waiting to hear Sir Bill’s verdict.”
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In a final appeal to his party, Johnson signed the message telling them: “We must remember that what the public wants us to do is focus above all on defeating COVID and rebuilding our economy and I am glad that at least one uncertainty is now out of the question. way “.
He added: “PS As for fish, we are talking about hundreds of thousands of tons more even in the transition period! Enough fish to get to the South Pole and back!”
The agreement was reached with only a few days to go to the end of the transition period.
The negotiations went all the way, but ended with a breakthrough on Christmas Eve, with a 10th source confirming that “the deal is closed” at 2:45 pm.
Minutes later, the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, officially announced the news, who said the talks had been “tough but fair” and “successful”.
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And later that afternoon, Johnson held a press conference in Downing Street to declare that the agreement meant “regaining control of our laws and our destiny.”
“This country will remain culturally, emotionally, historically, strategically and geologically united to Europe,” he added.
It took two more days for the full trade agreement to be published. It is 1,246 pages long and includes additional protocols to combat fraud, assistance with customs, and coordination of social security.
Adam Marshall, managing director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the government “should publish practical explanations as soon as possible for companies that lack the time / resources to interpret an international agreement.”
