Thread by @Usherwood

So #EUWithdrawalBill is now #EUWithdrawalAct

What does that mean?

1/

services.parliament.uk/Bills/2017-19/…

Crucially, it means that on 29 March 2019 the 1972 European Communities Act will cease to apply

2/

That Act underpins the entire system of UK membership of the EU, through its provisions that enact EU-level decisions

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There's long been plenty of discussion of how/whether the ECA works properly, but in practice it's the hook on which membership is made effective in the UK

4/

"So what?", you cry

5/

Well, by repealing the ECA, the UK is now tied even more into leaving the EU.

Art.50 is the UK-EU side of things, but #EUWithdrawalAct is domestic side, and both are needed

6/

That means if UK decides it wants to change date of departure (either to later or to 'never'), it will also have to amend this legislation, otherwise that extended membership can't work

7/

That puts Parliament in control on any such extension, which it didn't unambiguously have over Art.50 itself

8/

So, today is another step in committing UK to leaving on 29 March.

Which means there's even more pressure to reach an agreed Withdrawal Agt with EU

9/

In short, the UK is leaving EU, even more certainly than before

/end