Options facing Government and Parliament following European Council meeting examined

19 December 2018

The Committee on Exiting the European Union returns with an evidence session on Wednesday 19 December, part of its over-arching inquiry examining the progress of the UK's negotiations on EU withdrawal.

Background

Having agreed the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the framework for a future relationship at the European Council on 25 November, the Government must gain parliamentary approval for both documents before ratifying the Agreement, under the terms of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act. This vote was initially expected to take place on 11 December, but was subsequently deferred. In light of this, and the Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons following last week's European Council in Brussels, this session will see the Committee consider the options facing both the Government and Parliament.

Purpose of the session

The Committee is expected to examine the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement and what scope exists for renegotiation, along with the various options for the future relationship contained in the accompanying Political Declaration. In its final evidence session before the Christmas recess, the Committee will also consider the extent to which the Government continues to plan for a no-deal scenario, and the processes for extending and revoking Article 50.

Witnesses

Wednesday 19th December 2018, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House

From 9.15am

Catherine Barnard, Professor of EU Law, University of Cambridge
Dr Kirsty Hughes, Director of the Scottish Centre on European Relations
Sam Lowe, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for European Reform
Henry Newman, Director, Open Europe

Further information

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