Parliament Backs Johnson's Brexit Deal

MPs vote by 358 to 234 to pass the second reading of the bill, setting a speedy timetable for final ratification

Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval for his Brexit deal in Parliament on Friday, the first step towards fulfilling his election pledge to deliver Britain’s departure from the European Union by January 31 after his landslide victory.

Lawmakers voted by 358 to 234 — a majority of 124 — to pass the second reading of Withdrawal Agreement Bill, underlining Mr. Johnson’s large majority in Parliament that should ensure a smooth ratification of the divorce deal to implement Britain’s biggest policy shift in more than 40 years.

More than three years since Britain voted to exit the EU in a 2016 referendum, the deep uncertainty over Brexit has now been replaced by the firm deadline of the end of January. Only after that will the Prime Minister face talks to secure a trade deal with the bloc by the end of next year.