Thread by @Joe_Marshall0

So the WAB is published publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill…

Twitter will be awash with analysis, but I'm going to stick to pointing out some of the key bits for now.

First, the bill saves the effect of parts of the European Communities Act for the length of the implementation period. The ECA is the key legal pipeline giving effect to EU law in the UK. It also saves other pieces of legislation needed to give effect to transition (clauses 1/2)

Second, the bill gives direct effect to the Withdrawal Agreement and related EEA, EFTA and Swiss agreements. This allows the Withdrawal Agreement to have domestic legal effect. (Clauses 5 and 6)

Third, it gives effect to citizens' rights provisions in the Withdrawal Agreement. It includes a statutory appeals process against citizens' rights immigrations decisions and establishes the Independent Monitoring authority (Clauses 7-16)

Fourth, it gives the government authority to pay the divorce bill (Clause 20)

Fifth, it gives the government significant powers:
- To make provisions for the NI protocol (unsurprising given remaining uncertainties and quick turnaround)
- To implement solutions to the 'other separation issues'
- To make other legal changes to give effect to the transition

Sixth, it amends the EU Withdrawal Act to ensure the 'copy and paste' of EU law into UK law continues to make sense at the end of the implementation period (and to incorporate new EU legislation implemented in transition) Clauses 25-27

Seventh, it gives the European Scrutiny Committee a role in reviewing new EU legislation during the implementation period and for MPs to vote on its findings (Clause 29)

Eighth, it requires Parliament to approve any extension to the Implementation Period (Clause 30)

Ninth, it gives Parliament a role in overseeing negotiations for the future relationship- including a block on ministers negotiating until MPs have approved a statement of objectives for negotiations, and reporting requirements (Clause 31)

Tenth, repeals Section 13 of the EU Withdrawal Act, so that there does NOT need to be another meaningful vote before the government can ratify the Withdrawal Agreement (just need WAB to pass). Also removes need to pass CRAG process. (Clauses 32,33)

Eleventh, includes some reassuring padding about Parliamentary Sovereignty, that I would be surprised makes any legal difference (Clause 36)

Twelfth, includes lots of schedules setting out detail on things like how the Independent Monitoring Authority will work, protection for workers' rights, and detailing how regulations can be made under the Act.

Much more in there- but hopefully given you a flavour

Certainty seems difficult for MPs and Peers to effectively scrutinise the bill in such a short space of time.

Much more explanation in the explanatory notes
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill…