From a clean break to staying in the EU, British MPs are being polled on a variety of Brexit plans on Wednesday in a bid…
From a clean break to staying in the EU, British MPs are being polled on a variety of Brexit plans on Wednesday in a bid to break the paralysis in parliament.
A total of sixteen proposals were submitted, out of which House of Commons Speaker John Bercow selected eight to be voted on with green paper ballots.
Some build on Prime Minister Theresa May’s twice-rejected divorce deal while others offer stark alternatives — including leaving without a deal and stopping Brexit altogether.
Here are the main options being considered:
— Customs union —
Several proposals advocate Britain remaining in the EU customs union after adopting May’s withdrawal plan and its mandated implementation period to the end of 2020.
Committing fully to the customs union would ensure the Irish border remains relatively free-flowing after Brexit — one of the main points of contention.
This option is favoured by the main opposition Labour Party — alongside close alignment to the EU single market — as well as by cross-party groups of MPs.
But opponents argue it would hinder Britain’s ability to strike trade deals with countries around the world, and the Conservative Party manifesto vowed Britain would leave the customs union.
— Norwegian model —
Although outside the EU, Norway is in the European Economic Area (EEA) — alongside Iceland and Liechtenstein — meaning it benefits from membership of the single market.
