The EU withdrawal agreement has been a hot topic among politicians and citizens alike since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016. However, the agreement has come under scrutiny for a variety of reasons. Here, we will discuss some of the key points where the withdrawal agreement falls short.
1. Backstop
The backstop arrangement has caused a lot of controversy and criticism of the withdrawal agreement. The backstop agreement is intended to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, critics argue that it could result in the United Kingdom remaining in the European Union indefinitely and that it would be difficult to disentangle from such arrangements.
2. Financial Settlement
Another area of concern is the financial settlement. The agreement states that the United Kingdom will have to pay a divorce bill to the European Union. This financial settlement has been estimated to total around £39 billion. Critics have argued that this is far too large a sum and that the United Kingdom should not have to pay it at all.
3. EU Citizens in the UK
The withdrawal agreement also does not provide enough certainty for EU citizens living in the United Kingdom. While the agreement provides some protection for EU citizens’ rights, it falls short on details such as providing them with permanent residency status. This lack of clarity and protection has led to significant concerns among EU citizens in the UK.
4. Northern Ireland
The withdrawal agreement also does not provide enough clarity for Northern Ireland. While the backstop arrangement is intended to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, it does not address the issues of trade and other concerns that arise from Northern Ireland being part of the United Kingdom.
5. Trade
Finally, the withdrawal agreement does not provide clarity on the future trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. This lack of clarity has led to significant concerns from businesses and investors and could have a negative impact on the economy.
In conclusion, the withdrawal agreement has come under significant criticism for a variety of reasons. The backstop arrangement, financial settlement, EU citizens in the UK, Northern Ireland, and trade are just some of the key issues where the agreement falls short. It will be interesting to see what develops in the ongoing negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union and whether these issues can be resolved.