Boris Johnson’s EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill

• The report, though mainly explanatory, highlights issues requiring further consideration including Northern Ireland & workers’ rights.

‘The Bill is of the highest constitutional significance, given its intended effect. It builds on, but also amends and departs in significant ways from, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. It is a complex piece of legislation.’ (Constitution Committee Report, HL Paper 21, 5 November 2019, para.4)

That is the Bill for which Boris Johnson, having got a Commons majority on the 2nd Reading, refused to increase the time allowed for the further stages and which was then pulled to make way for the General Election on 12 December. If the Conservatives form the next government, it will presumably be re-introduced as the basis of the prime minister’s new promise ‘to get Brexit done—this time by 31 January’.

The committee’s report, though mainly explanatory, highlights issues requiring further consideration.

The status of EU law

Under the 2018