Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Withdrawal Act: Effect on the Union

Wednesday 5 February 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 means the UK has left the EU as a united country.
  • The protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland guarantees Northern Ireland's place in the UK.
  • The UK left the EU with a deal, which is considered good news for Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Discussion about the implications of leaving EU with a deal.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effect of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 on the Union?

Answer from Robin Walker (Minister for Implementation)

The deal implemented in domestic law through the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 means that we have left the EU as one United Kingdom. The protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland guarantees Northern Ireland's integral place in the UK. This Government will never be neutral in expressing our support for the Union and our steadfast belief that Northern Ireland's best interests are served within a strong United Kingdom.

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Q2 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

Discussion about UK's deal with EU, specifically regarding Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's statement.

Question

If the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is correct that we do not need a deal with the European Union, what will that mean for the future of Northern Ireland in the Union?

Answer from Robin Walker (Minister for Implementation)

I think the point that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was making is that we already have a deal with the European Union; we have left the European Union with a deal, and that is good news for Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

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