With the head of state’s ceremonial approval of the withdrawal legislation, Britain can finally leave its closest neighbours and trading partners after years of bickering and three delays. He quit former prime minister Theresa May’s government in 2018 in protest at what he viewed as her pro-European separation terms. Lawmakers barely debated the withdrawal agreement before passing it — even though critics called it worse for Britain than the one reached by May. The formal talks are not expected to begin until March but the war of words is already intense. Johnson insists that he will not extend the end-of-year negotiation deadline, while Brussels says a comprehensive deal will take much more time.

Source: The Guardian January 23, 2020 15:11 UTC