Petition signed by 53,000 (at least): Extend the transition; delay negotiations until after the coronavirus outbreak. A two year extension will ensure that we have the time and energy to properly negotiate a deal. The country will be hit financially and socially by the impacts of this virus. We cannot risk a ‘no deal’ impact on top of this.
This is the government’s bone-headed response:
“The transition period ends on 31 December 2020, as enshrined in UK law. The Prime Minister has made clear he has no intention of changing this. We remain fully committed to negotiations with the EU.
We remain committed to working closely with the devolved administrations (DAs) throughout negotiations with the EU to ensure a future relationship that works in the interests of the whole of the UK. …
(believe that if you will)
We will not be extending the transition period – we will be recovering economic and political independence at the end of the year, which the British people voted for.
The transition period ends on 31 December 2020. The end date of the transition period is enshrined in UK law. Section 15A of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 prohibits the Government from agreeing to an extension of the transition period.
The UK remains fully committed to the negotiations on our future relationship with the EU. However, in light on the current situation, the structure of negotiations has had to change and instead take place between the negotiating teams remotely. Last week, the UK held a series of conference calls, both sides discussed and provided technical clarifications on their respective legal texts and we have held conversations with the Commission to consider next steps. In the coming weeks we hope to have agreed a timetable for the negotiations by remote means in April and May. We remain committed to working closely with the devolved administrations (DAs) throughout negotiations with the EU to ensure a future relationship that works in the interests of the whole of the UK.
The first meeting of the Withdrawal Joint Committee (WAJC) was held as planned on 30 March. This meeting was held via teleconference, in line with the latest Government guidance, and is a good example of how we can continue our work on implementing the Withdrawal Agreement during this time.
We will, of course, continue to be guided by scientific advice about what is right for our workforce as we seek to develop these options.”
On April 23 the Government published the exchanges between Hilary Benn MP, chair of the Commons Brexit committee, and Michael Gove MP, Cabinet Office Minister in charge of exiting the EU:
You recently signed the petition “Extend the transition; delay negotiations until after the coronavirus outbreak”:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300412
A group of MPs called the Committee on the Future Relationship with the European Union, recently asked the Government about this issue and the Government replied.
You can read the exchange of letters between the Chair of the Committee, Hilary Benn and Michael Gove on behalf of the Government here:
See also: UK plans to agree trade deal by December 31 is fantasy, EU officials, Guardian; UK’s impossible demands over Europol, Guardian;
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