The European Affairs Committee of the British House of Lords issued a mixed opinion on Wednesday 5 December on the UK's EU withdrawal agreement and the political declaration on future relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, as approved by the Twenty-seven and Theresa May on 25 November. The committee is particularly concerned about the lack of accountability of the proposed EU-UK Joint Committee, which it calls a body "particularly powerful and influential", according to a press release. A publication that comes a few days before a crucial vote on the content of this negotiation.
According to the committee, this joint committee, which will oversee the functioning of the agreement, will not operate in an "open and transparent" manner, meeting in camera without the obligation to publish the minutes or details of its decisions.
It thus invites members of the House of Lords to use the debate on this withdrawal agreement, which began this week, to obtain a commitment from the government "that Parliament will be able to effectively monitor the work of the Joint Committee".
Loss of influence during the transition
Nor does the Committee on European Affairs like the United Kingdom's passive position during the transition period with the "sudden loss" of influence of the United Kingdom on EU policies. Finally, on the 'backstop' for Ireland which, if it comes into being after the end of the transition, foresees that Northern Ireland remains closely aligned with the EU and that the United Kingdom is maintained in a Customs Union, the European Affairs Committee notes that the country would be closely aligned with EU competition and state aid rules, "which would have the effect of subordinating the relevant British institutions to the European Commission". Like many British politicians, the committee would like this backstop to be unilaterally revocable, but the draft agreement provides for this decision to be taken by two people. The House of Lords Committee also has questions on the fate of the rights of British and EU citizens in the event of disagreement or on family law. Link to the report: https://bit.ly/2Eevkrn. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)