BREXIT TIMELINE 2020
– January 8 2020
New European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen visits No 10 to warn Mr Johnson the timetable for a post-Brexit commerce deal is “very, very tight”. The Prime Minister is evident nevertheless there will likely be no extension to the transition interval, which expires on the finish of 2020.
– January 9 2020
Mr Johnson will get his Brexit deal by the Commons because the European Union (Withdrawal Settlement) Invoice is given a 3rd studying with a majority of 99.
– January 31 2020
A clock projected on the partitions of Downing Avenue counts down the moments to the UK’s departure from the EU at 11pm.
– March 2 2020
Mr Barnier and Mr Johnson’s chief EU adviser Lord Frost open formal talks in Brussels on Britain’s future relationship with the bloc, together with a free commerce settlement.
– March 12 2020
The 2 sides announce they’re suspending face-to-face talks because of the coronavirus pandemic and can discover the choices for persevering with the negotiations by video conferencing.
– June 12 2020
Cupboard Workplace Minister Michael Gove formally tells the EU the UK won’t signal as much as an extension to the transition interval, however he backtracks on plans to instantly introduce full border checks with the bloc on January 1.
– September 10 2020
The European Fee threatens the UK with authorized motion after ministers announce plans for laws enabling them to override provisions within the Withdrawal Settlement regarding Northern Eire in breach of worldwide legislation.
– October 16 2020
Mr Johnson says he’s halting talks on a commerce deal, accusing EU leaders assembly for a summit in Brussels of searching for to impose “unacceptable” calls for.
– November 7 2020
Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen conform to “redouble” their efforts to get a deal whereas acknowledging that important variations stay over fisheries and the so-called “degree taking part in area” for state assist guidelines.
-December 4 2020
Lord Frost and Mr Barnier announce in a joint assertion the circumstances for an settlement had nonetheless not been met and negotiations will likely be placed on “pause” to permit political leaders to take inventory, with Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen to interact in emergency talks.
– December 9 2020
Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen dine on the European Fee, with talks between the 2 leaders lasting round three hours and ending in an settlement to have additional discussions, however {that a} “agency resolution” needs to be taken about the way forward for the talks by Sunday.
– December 13 2020
Following a telephone name, Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen agree to a different extension of talks to “go the additional mile” to discover a breakthrough. Mr Johnson says there’s a “deal to be completed” with the EU however provides the 2 sides are “very far aside” on key points and Britain remains to be able to commerce on WTO phrases within the new yr.
– December 17 2020
The Prime Minister and European Fee president discuss on the telephone once more to take inventory of the discussions, simply hours after Mr Gove tells MPs the possibilities of a deal have been “lower than 50%”.
The 2 sides each say progress has been made however there are nonetheless “elementary” variations, with fisheries once more a sticking level. Mr Johnson describes the persevering with negotiations as being in a “critical scenario”, including an settlement was not going, with time “very quick”.
– December 20 2020
France joins a number of different European international locations in banning journey from the UK, together with freight, resulting from a brand new coronavirus pressure present in Britain, inflicting the Port of Dover to shut. Enormous queues of lorries construct up on the M20, prompting fears the identical may occur within the occasion of no commerce deal being secured.
– December 21 2020
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says there is no such thing as a probability of extending the transition preparations past December 31 as a result of it might “add gas to the fireplace” by including additional uncertainty.
In the meantime, Mr Johnson updates the nation on the journey ban and divulges he has spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron to attempt to discover a decision, however that they “determined not to discuss Brexit”.
– December 22 2020
An settlement is reached with France to reopen the border, permitting lorry drivers by if they’ve had a detrimental Covid take a look at. Mr Barnier briefs EU ambassadors and MEPs and tells them talks are at a “essential second”, whereas Mr Johnson stays in “shut contact” with Mrs von der Leyen.
– December 23 2020
Optimism grows all through the day a deal is about to reached and a Downing Avenue supply says it’s “doable, however removed from sure”.
