John Curtis Archives

Research Briefing

EU assurances to the UK on Brexit

Wednesday, 16 January, 2019

The EU and UK negotiators agreed the texts of a Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on a framework for a future EU-UK relationship, and the time came for the UK Parliament to vote on it. But on 15 January Parliament rejected the two documents by 230 votes. The EU has said there will be no renegotiating the texts but has offered assurances on the intention that the backstop arrangement to prevent a hard Irish border would be temporary if it had to be introduced. This paper looks at what the EU has offered by way of 'clarifications' and 'assurances' on the backstop and whether the EU would offer an extension to Article. 50 might .
Research Briefing

The backstop explained

Wednesday, 12 December, 2018

One of the major Brexit issues MPs are as yet unable to agree on is the ‘backstop’. Here we look at what the backstop is, if it’s likely to be used, and if the UK can then exit from it.
- Research Briefing
- Parliament
Insight

The backstop explained

Wednesday, 12 December, 2018

One of the major Brexit issues MPs are as yet unable to agree on is the ‘backstop’. Here we look at what the backstop is, if it’s likely to be used, and if the UK can then exit from it.
Research Briefing

Brexit Unknowns (update)

Wednesday, 26 September, 2018

What do we still not know about the Brexit process or the withdrawal agreement with the EU that is currently being negotiated? This paper looks at some of the main unknowns.
Debate Pack

Peace process in Colombia

Monday, 10 September, 2018

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Peace process in Colombia’ has been scheduled for Wednesday 12 September 2018 from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. The debate has been initiated by Chris Bryant MP.
- Debate Pack
- Americas
Research Briefing

The Brexit White Paper on future relations and alternative proposals

Tuesday, 28 August, 2018

The Government published its White Paper on future relations between the UK and the EU on 12 July. It envisages a 'common rulebook' to facilitate 'frictionless' trade, and among other things, UK cooperation in security matters, a commitment to maintain high environmental, data and consumer protection standards, UK participation in some EU agencies and solutions to the Irish border issues - all underpinned by a new governance structure that will pay "due regard" to the EU Court. Would the White Paper proposals work and do they respect both UK sovereignty and the indivisibility of the EU Single Market? David Davis's 'alternative' white paper proposes a somewhat different future relationship. This paper looks at proposals in both documents.
Debate Pack

Humanitarian situation in Gaza

Friday, 22 June, 2018

Debate Pack for the Westminster Hall debate on the 'Humanitarian situation in Gaza', scheduled for Tuesday 26 June 2018, from 2:30-4:00pm. The Member leading the debate is Grahame Morris MP.
Debate Pack

Relations between the UK and Romania

Friday, 15 June, 2018

A Westminster Hall debate on 'UK-Romanian relations' is scheduled for Tuesday 19 June 2018, from 9:30-11:00am.. The Member leading the debate is Bob Blackman MP.
Debate Pack

Polish anti-defamation law

Friday, 01 June, 2018

A Westminster Hall debate on the ‘Polish anti-defamation law’ has been scheduled for Tuesday 5 June 2018 from 9.30am to 11.00am. The debate has been initiated by Alex Sobel MP.
Debate Pack

Early elections, human rights and the political situation in Turkey

Friday, 01 June, 2018

A debate on ‘Early elections, human rights and the political situation in Turkey’ has been scheduled for Thursday 7 June 2018 in the Main Chamber. The debate was nominated by the Backbench Business Committee after a representation from Joan Ryan MP, Tommy Sheppard MP and Jim Shannon MP.
Research Briefing

The 2018 Venezuelan Presidential elections

Friday, 18 May, 2018

Venezuela is facing a growing political, economic and social crisis. With Presidential elections scheduled for Sunday, can things get better? This paper looks at the political developments in Venezuela from Hugo Chavez’s death in 2013 to today, the candidates and their prospects, and what might happen afterwards. Most analysts believe the incumbent President Nicolás Maduro, will win another term. However, a lot will depend on how many voters heed the main opposition bloc's call to boycott the elections, or whether they will turn out to vote for Maduro's opponent- former Chavista -Henri Falcón. With the economy in crisis, and growing poverty, hunger and disease fuelling mass migration, the prospects for Venezuela, regardless of who wins the election, do not look bright.
Debate Pack

Antisemitism

Monday, 16 April, 2018

General debate on antisemitism
- Debate Pack
- Equality
Research Briefing

Brexit: the draft withdrawal agreement

Monday, 26 March, 2018

The Commission published a draft legal text of the withdrawal agreement in February 2018 and an updated draft on 15 March. On 19 March a third text was published which showed where there is full agreement between the EU and the UK, where there is agreement in principle and where there is no agreement. This paper looks at the recent draft, making reference to earlier drafts where relevant.
Debate Pack

Military detention of Palestinian children by the Israeli authorities

Friday, 02 February, 2018

A Westminster Hall debate on ‘Military detention of Palestinian children by Israeli authorities’ is scheduled for Wednesday 7 February 2018 from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. The Member initiating the debate is Sarah Champion.
Research Briefing

Brexit: ‘sufficient progress’ to move to phase 2

Tuesday, 19 December, 2017

This paper looks at the path towards 'sufficient progress' in the first phase of Brexit negotiations and the Joint Report agreed by the UK Government and the EU. It focuses on the three priority areas: citizens' rights, the financial settlement and the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The paper also looks at other recent developments and parliamentary consideration of Brexit.

Total results (page 11 of 13)