The current political climate in the UK is dominated by Brexit, and two terms that are frequently discussed are the “chequers plan” and the “withdrawal agreement.” While these two terms sound similar, they are not interchangeable. In fact, they refer to two different aspects of the Brexit process.

The Chequers Plan

The Chequers Plan refers to a proposal put forth by the UK government that outlines their vision for a post-Brexit relationship with the EU. This plan was named after Chequers, the Prime Minister`s country residence, where it was agreed upon by the Cabinet in July 2018.

Under the Chequers Plan, the UK would maintain a close relationship with the EU through a “common rulebook” for trade in goods. This means that the UK would continue to follow EU rules and regulations for goods, even though it would no longer be a member of the EU. Additionally, the UK would have a “facilitated customs arrangement,” which would allow for the free movement of goods between the UK and the EU without the need for checks at the border.

While the Chequers Plan was initially seen as a positive step forward in the Brexit negotiations, it was quickly met with criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Some Brexiteers felt that the plan was too soft and did not provide enough distance from the EU, while some Remainers felt that it did not go far enough in protecting the UK`s relationship with the EU.

The Withdrawal Agreement

The Withdrawal Agreement, on the other hand, refers to the actual legal agreement between the UK and the EU that outlines the terms of the UK`s exit from the EU. This agreement covers a wide range of topics, including the UK`s financial obligations to the EU, the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU, and the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

One of the most contentious issues in the Withdrawal Agreement is the “backstop.” This is a mechanism that would ensure that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, which will remain in the EU after Brexit. If no other solution is found, the UK would remain in a customs union with the EU until a solution is reached.

The Withdrawal Agreement was negotiated by the UK government and the EU and was approved by EU leaders in November 2018. However, it has yet to be approved by the UK Parliament, and its future is uncertain.

Conclusion

While the Chequers Plan and the Withdrawal Agreement are both important aspects of the Brexit process, they are not the same thing. The Chequers Plan outlines the UK`s vision for its future relationship with the EU, while the Withdrawal Agreement is the legal agreement that outlines the terms of the UK`s exit from the EU. As Brexit negotiations continue, both of these documents will play an important role in shaping the future of the UK`s relationship with the EU.