London, Dec 24 (AFP/APP): Britain’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU looks certain to be passed when parliament is recalled on December 30 after the main opposition Labour party said it would vote in favor despite misgivings.
The speakers of both the lower and upper houses of parliament — the House of Commons and House of Lords — confirmed they would convene rare sessions during the Christmas-New Year break after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the agreement had been clinched by UK and EU negotiators.
The votes will take place less than 48 hours before the trade deal is due to come into effect and are virtually assured to go in the Conservative government’s favor after Labour leader Kier Starmer gave his backing to Johnson.
“I can say today that when this deal comes before parliament Labour will accept it, and vote for it,” Starmer said.
He said it was a “tough but necessary decision”, but added it was “not the deal that the government promised”, calling it “thin” and voicing fears about the government’s preparations for leaving the EU single market.
Johnson has an 80-seat majority in the House of Commons, and Labour’s support will override any rebellion by militant Brexiteers within the Conservative party who may reject the deal.
There was also reluctant backing from leaders of the UK’s devolved nations. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party, said in a statement that the deal “beggars belief”.
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