David Davis says MPs might not vote on final Brexit deal until after Brexit
2 min read
Parliament might not get to vote on the final Brexit deal until after Britain has quit the European Union, David Davis revealed today.
The Brexit Secretary said the timing of a Commons vote about future trading arrangements “depends” on when negotiations conclude.
But he argued a free trade deal could be struck within 12 months, and although it could not be signed while the UK is still in the EU, it could come into force a “nano-second” after Brexit.
The Government has said MPs will get a vote on the final Brexit deal - although many in the Commons want it to come in the form of primary legislation.
Asked today if the parliamentary vote could come after the Brexit date of March 2019, Mr Davis said: "It could be. It depends when it concludes."
EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier argued this week that a free trade arrangement could take “several years” to negotiate. But Mr Davis said he disagreed.
"In technical terms, there is no reason why we can't do this in the time available,” he told the Brexit Select Committee today.
“We do have to maintain a degree of determination but I am quite sure in my mind we can do this."
Mr Davis said EU leaders would have to decide how quickly they wanted to processed, but that a deal could be done at the “59th minute of the 11th hour”.
“It will be very high stress, very exciting for everyone watching, but that's what will happen," he said.
Elsewhere during the hearing, Mr Davis said he wanted a rough deal on the desired Brexit transition period in early 2018.
The statement appears to contradict Theresa May – who said the transition arrangement would not be clear until the final trade deal that will come into force after the transition is agreed.
Labour MP Seema Malhotra, who pressed Mr Davis on the matter at the committee, said the move was an attempt to “avoid scrutiny”.
"Yet again the Government is treating parliamentary democracy with contempt," she said.
"Time and time again they are desperate to avoid scrutiny. We were promised a “meaningful” vote on the deal, it beggars belief that it may well come after we leave the European Union."
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