Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Friday 31st May 2019

The Government did not support this Act nor the manner in which it was passed. It remains Government policy that it is in the UK’s best interest to leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible.

The EU (Withdrawal) Act 2019 was introduced to Parliament by Yvette Cooper as a Private Members’ Bill - the name provided to any Bill which is not introduced by the Government.

During passage of the Bill through Parliament, the Government made it clear that it did not support the Bill nor the speed at which it was passing through Parliament.

The Government supported amendments which improved the legislation and ensure the Prime Minister was able to agree an extension with the EU. While the Government continued to disagree with the purpose of the Bill, it was imperative that if, and when, the Bill reached Royal Assent it would not frustrate the Prime Minister’s ability to negotiate.

Following the passage of this legislation, on 11 April 2019, the European Council and the UK agreed a further extension to the Article 50 period until 31 October 2019. This extension will be terminated early if the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified and comes into force before this date. Following the conclusion of the European Council, a statutory instrument was made on 11 April amending the definition of “exit day” in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to 31 October 2019 at 11pm.

The Government is committed to honouring the result of the 2016 referendum and is continuing to work to leave the EU as soon as possible.

Department for Exiting the European Union.