Sustain Brexit Forum news roundup: EU Withdrawal Bill

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The latest political ping-pong match is over, with the EU Withdrawal Bill having completed its bumpy ride through both Houses of Parliament and having received Royal Assent. The Repeal Bill alliance reports that the Bill improved in many respects from the first draft: “The scope for Henry VIII powers has been reduced, the devolution power grab is less severe, there are some safeguards for environmental protection, and various legal points have been clarified.” But, “None of these changes goes as far as we wanted and there is still a lot wrong.”
 
By a slim majority, MPs rejected amendments that would have kept the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights that enhance the protection of equality, employment and consumer rights. Amnesty International concluded: “This is a bleak day for human rights in the UK.” It is salutary to note that the new Secretary of State for Brexit Dominic Raab is reportedly no fan of human rights.
 
But it ain’t over till it’s over. In the three and a half months from mid-December 2018 to ‘exit day’ in March 2019, a very large amount of Parliamentary work will have to happen, including the Withdrawal Agreement and Implementation Bill, both likely to raise many of the same issues as those discussed in relation to the EU Withdrawal Bill – not least the Irish border, customs arrangements and devolved policy. The second overall Brexit bill will need to put into UK law the legal implications of whatever deal is agreed with the EU-27, or to provide for the implications of there being ‘no deal’. Buckle up for another bumpy ride.
 
In the interregnum and Parliamentary recess, let’s share an historical memento for the EU Withdrawal Bill scrapbook (or Brexit bin).