Boris Johnson's trade deal with the EU has cleared its first Commons hurdle after MPs gave it a second reading by 521 votes to 73, majority 448.

Introducing legislation to approve the trade deal secured on Christmas Eve, which is to be fast-tracked through Parliament in just a day, the Prime Minister said it will accomplish something that was considered "impossible".

"Those of us who campaigned for Britain to leave the EU never sought a rupture with our closest neighbours," he said. "What we sought was not a rupture but a resolution, a resolution of the old and vexed question of Britain’s political relations with Europe, which bedevilled our post-War history."

Despite Labour planning to back the deal, Mr Johnson claimed Sir Keir Starmer "intends to ask the British people for a mandate to rewrite the deal in 2024".

The Prime Minister added: "I think frankly we got Brexit done, let's keep Brexit done... and let's press ahead with this Government's mission to unite and level-up across our whole country and grasp the opportunities before us."

For the latest developments, click here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/12/30/brexit-deal-vote-labour-tier-review-matt-hancock-boris-johnson/

For the full story, click here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/12/15/boris-johnson-determined-let-families-meet-christmas-urges-self/

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