Johnson’s Brexit plan passes Commons vote
British MPs on Tuesday approved the controversial Internal Market Bill, which plans to override parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement with the EU.
The bill sets out rules for the operation of the UK internal market – trade between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – after the end of the Brexit transition period. It passed on Tuesday through the House of Commons by 340 votes to 256, and will now go to the House of Lords.
The legislation gives the government the power to change aspects of the EU withdrawal agreement, a legally binding deal governing the terms of Brexit made earlier this year. The UK government has admitted that the bill breaks international law. The EU Commission threatened legal action over the move.
The post-Brexit transition period is scheduled to come to an end on December 31. If both sides fail to reach a deal, the UK would trade with the EU after that on World Trade Organization rules.