Britain's new Parliament voted overwhelmingly Friday to back Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit accord, a significant step toward the country's departure from the European Union on Jan. 31.
Lawmakers voted 358 for and 234 against the deal Mr. Johnson negotiated with the EU back in October, which stipulates how the U.K. will end its 46-year membership of the bloc.
Since Britain opted for Brexit in a 2016 referendum, two prime ministers have been forced to quit and an earlier Brexit deal was rejected three times by lawmakers as a divided parliament revolted against the government.
There are challenges ahead. Friday's vote only sets in train Britain's split with the EU. It doesn't define what kind of relationship the country will have with its biggest trading partner after Brexit.
Mr. Johnson said Friday that he wanted "No alignment" with EU rules, signaling more brinkmanship to come as the British government prepares to begin the next phase of Brexit.
The pound has fallen against the dollar in recent days amid fears that the U.K. will enter 2021 without a trade deal with the EU. "There would be nothing more dangerous for the new future that we want to build than allowing the permanent possibility of extending," Mr. Johnson said.
Following the election, the government revised the bill that lawmakers voted on Friday to give Mr. Johnson more latitude over future trade talks.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/british-parliament-votes-to-support-boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-11576852565?mod=hp_lead_pos1
Lawmakers voted 358 for and 234 against the deal Mr. Johnson negotiated with the EU back in October, which stipulates how the U.K. will end its 46-year membership of the bloc.
Since Britain opted for Brexit in a 2016 referendum, two prime ministers have been forced to quit and an earlier Brexit deal was rejected three times by lawmakers as a divided parliament revolted against the government.
There are challenges ahead. Friday's vote only sets in train Britain's split with the EU. It doesn't define what kind of relationship the country will have with its biggest trading partner after Brexit.
Mr. Johnson said Friday that he wanted "No alignment" with EU rules, signaling more brinkmanship to come as the British government prepares to begin the next phase of Brexit.
The pound has fallen against the dollar in recent days amid fears that the U.K. will enter 2021 without a trade deal with the EU. "There would be nothing more dangerous for the new future that we want to build than allowing the permanent possibility of extending," Mr. Johnson said.
Following the election, the government revised the bill that lawmakers voted on Friday to give Mr. Johnson more latitude over future trade talks.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/british-parliament-votes-to-support-boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-11576852565?mod=hp_lead_pos1
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