Brexit: EU looks to London for answers as as it moves to confirm deal

We should know from about 3:30pm whether a vote on the withdrawal agreement will be allowed to go ahead today.

Aubrey Allegretti

Political reporter

Monday 21 October 2019 13:57, UK

A Union Jack flies next to European Union flags in front of the European Commission
Image: The EU says it has 'launched' its ratification process
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The EU has kicked off the process of ratifying the Brexit deal, despite uncertainty about what will happen on the British side.

Mina Andreeva, a spokesperson for the EU Commission, revealed Brussels remains on course to get everything signed off by the 31 October deadline.

But she added all eyes were on the UK parliament to see how they should react to Boris Johnson's request to delay Brexit - which he says was foisted on him by MPs and he does not want.

MP Liz Saville-Roberts holds a copy of the Withdrawal Agreement outside the Houses of Parliament in London ahead of Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivering a statement in the House of Commons on his new Brexit deal after the EU Council summit, on what has been dubbed "Super Saturday".
Image: Boris Johnson brokered a new withdrawal agreement with Brussels

If the clock ticks down further to Halloween and a withdrawal agreement has not been approved, EU leaders will have to formally respond to the delay request to avoid no-deal.

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"It is first and foremost for the UK to explain the next steps," Ms Andreeva told reporters in a briefing on Monday.

"We, from our side, will of course follow all the events in London this week very closely.

"What I can also add is that the ratification process has been launched on the EU side.

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"[EU chief negotiator] Michel Barnier debriefed the EU ambassadors of the EU 27 yesterday, and he will debrief the European Parliament Brexit steering group this afternoon in Strasbourg.

"And as I mentioned he will also debrief the college of commissioners tomorrow. So this is where we are for the time being."

The deal text has also been sent to the European Parliament, which needs to sign it off for it to be ratified.

John Bercow appears to have lost his voice
Image: John Bercow will decide whether to grant another vote on the deal

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said: "I think the deal is a win, not just for the UK, but for the EU as well, who want to see the UK leave in a smooth and orderly way."

We will know if the vote on the deal will do ahead at around 3:30pm, when Speaker John Bercow is expected to deliver his ruling.

Regardless of whether it goes ahead, the government is expected to start the process of turning the treaty into UK law in what will be called the "Withdrawal Agreement Bill" - or WAB.

That will be subject to amendments, meaning MPs can try and shape the bill, for example by voting on whether the UK should stay in a customs union with the EU after Brexit.

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