Last Thursday the Prime Minister told MPs that ‘if we were able to pass a deal by 22 May, we would not have to take part in European elections and, when the EU has also ratified, we would be able to leave at 11pm on 31 May.’ Her point – since picked up by ministers – was to ram home to Leave supporting MPs that ‘the date of our departure from the EU, and our participation in the European parliamentary elections’ was down to them.
But is it realistic to think this timetable can be met? Can the government deliver? In my view, this would require a level of legislative aggression from government, and a certainty of numbers, not seen in this parliament.
Ratification of May’s deal by the UK – as set out in the EU Withdrawal Act – is dependent on the Commons approving the negotiated withdrawal agreement and the framework for the future relationship (through what has become known as the ‘meaningful vote’), as well as passing a Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), which implements the deal.
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