Brexit: Boris Johnson in last push to get deal through - BBC News

Boris Johnson will urge MPs to back his Brexit deal in a final bid to get the UK to leave the EU in nine days' time.

MPs will vote on the PM's Withdrawal Agreement Bill and if they back it they will be asked to approve a three-day timetable to consider the legislation.

But the decision to curtail the scrutiny of the bill to three days has sparked anger from opposition MPs.

The BBC's Norman Smith said the PM looks set for a "deeply damaging" defeat over the timetable.

However, the prime minister seems on course to win an important symbolic victory with MPs poised to back his Brexit bill in principle, our assistant political editor added.

MPs will begin a number of votes on Mr Johnson's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which was published on Monday, at about 19:00 BST.

Elsewhere, European Council President Donald Tusk has told the European Parliament in Strasbourg he is consulting the 27 EU leaders on how to react to the UK's request for a Brexit delay and "will decide in the coming days".

Ministers have insisted they are confident they have the numbers to get the Withdrawal Agreement Bill approved, despite losing a crunch Commons vote on Saturday aimed at ruling out a no-deal Brexit.

MPs believed by ministers to be ready to back the prime minister include pro-Leave Labour rebels and former Tory MPs now sitting as independents who would rather leave with Mr Johnson's deal than no deal at all.

If MPs back the bill, they will then vote on the government's "programme motion", which sets out the timetable for the legislation's passage through the Commons.

On Monday, Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said: "People who do not vote for the programme motion will not be voting for Brexit on October 31."

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Here it is. And here we go. The government has now published the pages and pages of new laws that need to be passed to make our departure from the EU happen.

Forget the meaningful vote, to get Brexit done - as the prime minister never tires of saying - this whole bundle of legislation has to pass.

The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill is a document of 110 pages that details exactly how Parliament is expected to put the deal that the prime minister agreed with his counterparts around the continent into UK law.

For Brexit watchers it is a big moment.

Read more from the BBC's political editor.

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If the programme motion is approved, the bill will then move to the committee stage - which will continue on into Wednesday - when MPs will have the opportunity to put down amendments.

These are expected to include attempts to keep the UK more closely aligned with the EU through a customs union and to stage a second referendum.

Both are bitterly opposed by the government, raising the possibility that it could pull the bill altogether if either gets through.

Ahead of the debate, Mr Johnson said: "The public doesn't want any more delays, neither do other European leaders and neither do I.

"Let's get Brexit done on 31 October and move on."

However, Labour's shadow Brexit secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, accused ministers of trying to "bounce" MPs into approving a bill that could cause "huge damage" to the country.

What is the proposed timetable for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

Tuesday - second reading - MPs' first chance to debate the bill and vote for its continued passage. If passed at second reading, committee stage begins the same day.

Wednesday and Thursday - committee stage - where detailed examination of the bill takes place and specific amendments - on a fresh referendum, for example - can be tabled and voted on. The bill then moves on to report stage, which offers further opportunities for amendments before it moves to third reading. This is MPs' final chance to debate the bill before voting on whether to approve it.

If approved, it then moves to the Lords to begin a similar scrutiny process.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said Labour was "outraged" by the government's attempt to push the bill through in a short time.

"When I did the Health and Social Care Act, which was a major piece of legislation, it took three months," the Labour MP told BBC Breakfast.

"In order for politicians to do their job properly, we do need to have time," she added.

The SNP's Pete Wishart also condemned a lack of economic impact assessments of the deal ahead of the attempt to pass the legislation.

Ex-Tory MP Rory Stewart, who lost the party whip when he voted in support of the Benn Act, said he would back Mr Johnson's bill in principle but wanted to ensure Parliament had a "normal" amount of time to debate it.

"We need to finish this in the proper way, and if we're going to deliver Brexit, we need to deliver it in a way that Brexiteers and Remainers believe was taken through Parliament fairly," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

But Mr Rees-Mogg said other acts had been brought and passed with short notice.

"A king emperor left in 24 hours, and we are removing an imperial yoke in over a week," he added.

And Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told BBC Breakfast that Parliament "can move pretty quickly" and has already had 500 hours of debate on Brexit.

"So most MPs, frankly, are very familiar with the vast majority of issues that are in this bill," he said.

What is in the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

The 110-page document will give legal effect to the withdrawal deal negotiated by Mr Johnson.

His plan ditches the backstop - the controversial measure designed to prevent a return to physical checks on the Irish border.

Instead it essentially draws a new customs border in the Irish Sea, as goods which could travel onwards to Ireland will have to pay a duty tax.

It also will see the whole of the UK leave the EU customs union, meaning it could strike trade deals with other countries in the future.

The WAB will also turn any agreed transition period into law, fulfil requirements on the rights of EU citizens in the UK after Brexit, and allow ministers to make "divorce payments" to the EU foreseen under the current deal.

But MPs will be able to vote on amendments - changes or add-ons - to the bill.

If the government cannot get the bill through Parliament, the default legal position is for the UK to leave without a deal on 31 October, but that will change if the EU grants an extension.

• What is the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

KEY POINTS: What's new in the deal?

PEOPLE'S VIEW: Do voters support the deal?

EXPLAINED: What is the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

IN GRAPHICS: What happens now?

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Tuesday's votes come after Mr Johnson failed to get the agreement he reached with the EU last week signed off in the Commons on Saturday.

MPs instead backed an amendment withholding their approval until the bill has faced the scrutiny of both the Commons and the Lords and been passed into law.

The amendment worked alongside the so-called Benn Act, which required the prime minister to ask the EU for an extension to the 31 October deadline to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

Following Saturday's developments, Mr Johnson sent an unsigned letter asking for the delay, along with a signed letter saying why he did not agree with any further delays.

There has been no official word from the EU yet on whether the bloc will grant a delay or what length it would be.

Mr Tusk said the result of his consultation with EU leaders "will very much depend on what the British parliament decides or doesn't decide".

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2019-10-22 02:11:51Z
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Sir John Curtice: Do voters support Boris Johnson's Brexit deal? - BBC News

MPs are likely to have the chance, and possibly multiple chances, to vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal in the next few days - but what would voters like them to do?

There are some key clues from a clutch of polls since the deal was unveiled last week.

Voters' support for Boris Johnson's deal

Three companies have asked voters whether they support or oppose what Mr Johnson brought back from Brussels.

All found many voters - between about three in 10 and four in 10 - said they did not know, or had not heard, anything about what had been agreed.

More voters support the deal than oppose it (%)

These figures are a reminder many voters have not necessarily been following the drama of the past week closely.

However, in each poll, rather more say they support Mr Johnson's deal than indicate they are opposed to it.

But given the high proportion of don't knows, the proportion in favour does not come even close to 50%.

Voters' views on whether MPs should back the deal

A clear majority is also lacking when voters are asked whether MPs should vote for or against the deal.

According to YouGov, 41% want MPs to accept the deal, while 24% say they should reject it. In the case of Survation, 33% want MPs to approve what has been agreed, while 25% say they should not.

That said, voters are not necessarily convinced the agreement would be good for the country.

According to YouGov, slightly more (23%) believe it would be a bad deal for Britain than think it would be a good one (17%). As many as 45% feel they do not know enough to give a view either way.

Similarly, Survation reports while 25% think it would be good for Britain as a whole, 27% believe it would be bad. And just 17% believe the UK would benefit most from the deal, while 28% think the EU would.

It may be some voters feel the agreement is the best that can be achieved in the circumstances.

Either way, so far at least, it is difficult for either the government or the opposition parties to argue most voters clearly back their point of view on the deal.

Do voters prefer Boris Johnson's or Theresa May's deal?

The agreement Mrs May struck in November 2018 received a decidedly frosty reception from voters.

For example, when Survation asked voters whether they supported or opposed what she had brought back from Brussels, just 16% said they backed it. Nearly twice as many (30%) were opposed.

Although the balance of opinion on this measure did become somewhat more favourable thereafter, it never tilted decisively in favour of Mrs May.

In response to exactly the same question, 31% support Mr Johnson's deal while only 25% are opposed.

More like this

Meanwhile, when YouGov first asked how MPs should vote on Theresa May's deal, just 27% said they should approve it. At that time, 42% indicated they should reject it, figures that never changed dramatically.

The equivalent figures for Mr Johnson's deal are almost the mirror image of these.

It was always difficult for Mrs May to argue with MPs that voters were keen for them to back her deal.

On this score, at least, Mr Johnson appears to have a better case.

Support for Boris Johnson's deal among Leave and Remain supporters

Leave and Remain voters have very different views.

Both those who voted Leave and those who backed Remain in 2016 were unhappy with what Mrs May had brought back from Brussels.

Now, it looks as though at least half of those who voted Leave in 2016 - and maybe more - support the prime minister's deal.

But, conversely, about half of those who voted Remain are opposed to the deal.

Voters have also been asked what they would do if a referendum offered a choice between leaving the EU on the terms proposed by Mr Johnson or remaining in the EU.

Their responses reinforce the impression Mr Johnson's deal has divided the country.

Both Opinium and Survation have suggested the outcome of such a ballot would be a tie.

Many Remain supporters appear to believe if Mr Johnson's deal were to be put to a confirmatory vote, a majority would vote to stay in the EU.

However, it seems such an outcome is by no means guaranteed.

But, equally, the deal does not appear to provide a promising foundation for bringing the country together, as the prime minister argues it would.

So far, at least, he has won over too few Remain voters for that to be the case.

About this piece

This analysis piece was commissioned by the BBC from an expert working for an outside organisation.

Further details of the research on which it is based are available here.

Sir John Curtice is professor of politics, Strathclyde University, and senior research fellow at NatCen Social Research and The UK in a Changing Europe.

Edited by Duncan Walker

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2019-10-21 12:08:04Z
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Even if Johnson’s deal passes, Brexit won’t just be ‘done’ - The Washington Post

The delay increases the likelihood of parliamentary maneuvers that could derail or alter Johnson’s plans this week, but Johnson isn’t heading toward certain defeat. He could still secure approval for his deal, perhaps without having to make use of the Brexit extension beyond Oct. 31, which Johnson was forced to request Saturday. After more than three years of uncertainty, there might be a tight majority for his agreement.

In case his deal is approved, Johnson is likely to celebrate himself as the man who got “Brexit done” — a phrase he has frequently used in the past. But in reality, the United Kingdom’s Brexit woes are here to stay. Many of the Brexit concerns that have been on Britons’ minds in recent years — a breakup of the United Kingdom or the possibility of severe economic ramifications, for instance — would remain a risk, even if Johnson’s deal is approved.

Northern Ireland is expected to remain at the center of the Brexit debate one way or another. So far, concerns have mostly focused on a “no deal” outcome, which would trigger the introduction of border controls and could disrupt the Good Friday Agreement. That agreement ushered in a more peaceful era for Northern Ireland in the late 1990s, after a bloody conflict between Nationalists, who favored unifying with the Republic of Ireland, and Unionists, who backed remaining part of the United Kingdom.

Johnson’s proposed deal would avoid the reintroduction of border checks between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but only because it would, in practice, move the customs border into the Irish Sea, which separates the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Even though Northern Ireland would leave the E.U. customs union with the rest of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland would — at least initially — in some aspects remain aligned with the European Union.

That’s a major headache for Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has so far backed the Conservative Party in Parliament but won’t support Johnson’s deal. The party fears that his plans would drive Great Britain and Northern Ireland apart and could lead to Northern Ireland eventually unifying with the Republic of Ireland.

“Paradoxically Mr. Johnson and Brexit may have done more for a united Ireland than the [Irish Republican Army] ever did,” Jonathan Powell, a former adviser to prime minister and Labour party leader Tony Blair, wrote in the Financial Times over the weekend. Poll numbers indicate that support for unification is on the rise in Northern Ireland.

Those advocating a break with the United Kingdom could see a similar rise in support in Scotland, where First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon has been rallying support for a second independence referendum. Five years ago, Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, but — like Northern Irish voters — Scots predominantly backed remaining in the E.U. in 2016.

Last week, Sturgeon reiterated that “it is clearer than ever that the best future for Scotland is one as an equal, independent European nation."

There is no indication that the approval of a Brexit deal would hurt Johnson’s critics in Northern Ireland and Scotland. In fact, the opposite might be true. If Parliament passes his deal, the basics of the United Kingdom’s current relationship with the E.U. would remain unchanged until at least the end of next year, giving negotiators time to prepare a potential free-trade deal and settle other aspects related to future E.U.-British ties.

But pro-E.U. MPs worry that hard-line Brexiteers may be hoping to derail those trade talks, in which case Britain could crash out of the current arrangements. In some ways, the economic ramifications of that would be similar to a “no deal” scenario and could result in a plummeting GDP.

Ironically, all of this — including Johnson’s deal itself — would constitute a more radical break with the E.U. than even some Brexiteers proposed back in 2016.

Since 2016, however, the British electorate appears to have moved in the exact opposite direction. Whereas few “leave” or “remain” voters appear to have changed their minds on Brexit, polls have still started to show a consistent preference for remaining in the E.U. for at least a year.

Pollsters argue that the growing support for remaining in the E.U. is mostly due to demographic change, The Post’s Karla Adam writes. Some older voters — who tend to be more supportive of Brexit — have died. Meanwhile, younger Britons who have reached the voting age since 2016 are predominantly in favor of staying in the European Union.

As the idea of a confirmatory referendum on Johnson’s deal appears to be gaining momentum among the opposition Labour Party, there is a theoretical chance that British voters’ increasingly pro-remain attitude could still derail Johnson’s plans, even if Parliament passes the deal. The emphasis here, of course, should be on “theoretical.”

Brexit has consistently proved to be unpredictable. After more than three years, there does appear to be one certainty, however: Whatever happens, Brexit won’t just be “done,” as Johnson is suggesting.

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2019-10-21 04:59:00Z
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Brexit: Johnson 'has the numbers' in Commons to pass deal, says Raab - BBC News

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The government says it will push ahead with efforts to pass its Brexit deal, despite a major setback to its plans.

Boris Johnson had to ask the EU for an extension to the UK's 31 October exit date after MPs backed a move to delay approval of the deal on Saturday.

But Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was confident enough MPs would back the deal next week, and Brexit would still happen by the deadline.

No 10 says the PM sent "Parliament's letter" but sees no reason for a delay.

That letter to Brussels came from Mr Johnson but was unsigned, and was accompanied by a second letter - which was signed - saying he believed a delay would be a mistake.

The government has vowed to press ahead with the legislation - the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) - to implement the Brexit deal next week.

Why has the PM asked for another extension?

Having reached a new Brexit deal with the EU last week, the prime minster had intended to bring it to Parliament and ask MPs to approve it in a so-called "meaningful vote".

However, in the first Saturday sitting in the Commons for 37 years, MPs instead voted in favour of an amendment withholding approval of the deal until all the necessary legislation to implement it had been passed.

• Brexitcast: Super(ish) Saturday...

Tabled by Tory MP Sir Oliver Letwin, the amendment was intended to ensure that Mr Johnson would comply with the terms of the so-called Benn Act designed to eliminate any possibility of a no-deal exit on 31 October.

Under that act, Mr Johnson had until 23:00 BST on Saturday to send a letter requesting a delay to the UK's departure - something he did, albeit without his signature.

Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

ANALYSIS: Chances of agreement still strong, says Laura Kuenssberg

IN BRIEF: What happened on Saturday?

EXPLAINED: How another delay would work

IN GRAPHICS: What happens now?

How has the government reacted?

Mr Raab told the BBC's Andrew Marr show that "notwithstanding the parliamentary shenanigans, we appear to have now the numbers to get this through".

He said there were "many people in the EU" who were "deeply uncomfortable" about a further delay to Brexit and urged MPs to "get on, get it through the House of Commons, and move on."

His colleague, Michael Gove, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, accused those who backed the Letwin amendment of voting "explicitly to try to frustrate this process and to drag it out".

He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday "we have a deal that allows us to leave" on 31 October, but the government would now trigger Operation Yellowhammer - its contingency plan to handle a no-deal Brexit - because there was no guarantee the EU would grant an extension.

The government looks likely to ask for a further meaningful vote on Monday, presenting MPs with a binary choice to approve or oppose the deal in principle.

However, it will be up to Commons Speaker John Bercow to decide whether to allow that vote.

What is Labour saying?

Labour had planned to vote against Boris Johnson's deal - although a few rebels would likely have backed it - arguing it would be bad for the economy, jobs, workers' rights and other areas like the environment.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of "being childlike" by sending a second letter to the EU contradicting the first stipulated by the Benn Act.

He told Andrew Marr his party would seek to amend the deal when the WAB is brought to Parliament, for example by demanding a UK-wide customs union with the EU and single market alignment.

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He said Labour would look for ways to avoid "a trapdoor to no-deal at the end of 2020" - some critics of Mr Johnson's agreement fear there are no provisions to prevent a no-deal exit at the end of the transition period if no free trade agreement has been reached with the EU.

Sir Keir also said his party would support an amendment requiring the deal to be put to another referendum.

He said he believed that would most likely be tabled by a backbencher, but insisted: "It's got to go back to the public."

Organising another public vote would take a minimum of 22 weeks, according to experts at the Constitution Unit at University College London (UCL), and Sir Keir accepted that sort of timescale was reasonable.

A government also cannot just decide to hold a referendum. Instead, a majority of MPs and Lords would need to agree and vote through the rules, and there would likely be deep divisions over the wording of the question, the number of options on the ballot paper and the voting system.

Lucy Powell, Labour MP for Manchester Central, told Sky News "those advocating a second referendum know the numbers aren't there". The PM's deal was "now likely to pass", she continued, adding that next few days and weeks "are our final chance to shape Brexit".

What about the EU?

EU Council President Donald Tusk has acknowledged receipt of the UK's extension request and said he would consult EU leaders "on how to react".

Ambassadors from the 27 EU nations met for about 15 minutes in Brussels on Sunday morning and continued the legal process of ratifying the Brexit deal on the EU side.

• EU papers' anguish at UK Brexit drama
• Adler: Reluctant EU considers delay request

The EU's Chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, told diplomats the passage of the Letwin amendment did not mean that the deal had been rejected.

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Mr Letwin himself told the BBC's Andrew Marr on Sunday his amendment was "an insurance policy" and now it had passed, he would give his full support to the prime minister's deal.

All 27 EU nations must agree to any extension to Brexit, and French President Emmanuel Macron has already signalled he believed a new Brexit extension was not good for anyone.

However, BBC Europe editor Katya Adler said if the alternative was a no-deal Brexit, the EU was unlikely to refuse - although it would want to know what any extension was for - a general election, another referendum, or merely a bit more time needed to pass Brexit-related legislation?

Could this all end up in court?

Just weeks after the Supreme Court ruled Mr Johnson's prorogation of Parliament was unlawful, some suggest his attempts to undermine the Benn Act with a second letter could see him back there again.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell suggested the PM could be "in contempt of Parliament or the courts".

That was echoed by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford. Speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme, he refused to be drawn on any court action this week, but said "there is a clear case that he is in contempt of Parliament".

The government insists it has complied with the requirements of the Benn Act.

What is the Withdrawal Agreement Bill?

The UK needs to pass a law to implement the withdrawal agreement - the part of the PM's Brexit deal which will take the country out of the EU - in UK law.

It has to secure the backing of a majority of MPs and peers, and a vote for the Brexit deal itself is no guarantee of a vote for the legislation required to implement it.

The bill gives legal affect to any agreed transition period and fulfils requirements on the rights of EU citizens in the UK after Brexit. It will also allow ministers to make "divorce payments" to the EU foreseen under the current deal.

MPs will be able to vote on amendments - changes or add-ons - to the bill, for instance stipulating Parliament's role in the future relationship negotiation, or for the deal to be put to a referendum.

If the government cannot get the WAB through Parliament the default legal position is that the UK cannot ratify the deal, and so would leave on 31 October without a deal. However, that is dependent on no extension beyond that date having been already agreed with the EU.

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2019-10-20 12:05:37Z
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Brexit's 'super Saturday' delivers yet more confusion and delay - NBC News

LONDON — It was billed as the day that might break the Brexit deadlock. In the end, as with everything else in this tortured process, Saturday delivered more confusion and delay.

Abuzz with anticipation, the British Parliament gathered for its first Saturday sitting in 37 years, a marquee event billed as "super Saturday."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson wanted to get Parliament's approval for his divorce deal, a major step toward leaving the European Union at the end of the month.

However, rebel lawmakers had different ideas.

In a day of high drama and heated debate that laid bare the U.K.'s bitter ideological divisions, Johnson was forced to wait for the big Brexit moment on which he has staked his political career.

Opening the debate Saturday, Johnson urged lawmakers to approve what he called "a deal that can heal the rift in British politics, unite the warring instincts in us all."JESSICA TAYLOR / AFP - Getty Images

Rather than delivering a decisive yes-no verdict on his deal, the rebels opted for a third route: Withholding final judgment on the deal and forcing Johnson to ask Europe for yet another extension.

They want more time to scrutinize and possibly tweak his plans. They also want to avoid the risk of the U.K. crashing out of the E.U. without a deal at all.

This extreme scenario could cause economic pain, food shortages and even civil unrest, according to expert models and government forecasts.

Delay, but for how long?

Saturday's vote is intended to stave off that outcome.

Let our news meet your inbox. The news and stories that matters, delivered weekday mornings.

Lawmakers voted 322 to 306 in favor of the Letwin amendment — named after former Conservative Cabinet member Oliver Letwin, who devised the motion.

He was one of 21 rebels the prime minister fired from the party last month for opposing his hardline plans.

Because of a law passed last month by his opponents, Johnson must now write a letter to the E.U. by 6 p.m. ET Saturday asking for yet another extension.

Despite the setback, the prime minister remained defiant.

He vowed to stand by his promise to deliver Brexit at the end of the month, saying he was not “daunted or dismayed” by the result.

The government said soon after losing the vote that it would try to pass its deal again on Monday.

Whatever the ultimate outcome, Saturday was the latest evidence of a country at odds over what type of Brexit it wants to deliver, or whether it wants to deliver Brexit at all.

Related

Throughout hours of televised debate, lawmakers set out competing visions of the country at this pivotal moment; whether it should keep close to the environmental and employment protections guaranteed by the E.U., or go down a path of deregulation and free trade made possible by Johnson's hardline Brexit deal.

Outside the House of Commons tens of thousands of anti-Brexit protesters marched through the streets of central London.

Many polls suggest that public opinion on Brexit may have flipped, with a narrow majority now favoring staying inside the E.U.Peter Summers / Getty Images

Brexit has seen politicians resort to increasingly violent language when describing their opponents, leading police to warn them not to inflame what has become a febrile atmosphere.

Many members of Parliament — mostly women — have received death threats referencing their views on Brexit.

One female lawmaker was murdered in 2016 and another was the subject of a foiled far-right plot to kill her.

On Saturday prominent opposition Labour Party lawmaker Diane Abbott was forced to have a police escort as she left Parliament, with at least one person seen verbally accosting her. Jacob Rees-Mogg, a key Johnson ally and vocal Brexit advocate, was also guarded by law enforcement as a pro-E.U. crowd chanted "shame on you."

These fierce divisions show no signs of abating, and the fate of Brexit itself remains uncertain.

Saturday's delay means the door is still open for a host of other options beyond Johnson's deal, including an early general election or even a second referendum.

The prime minister's plan seeks to scrap all of the major trading rules that currently bind the U.K. to the E.U. But it will keep some of these ties in Northern Ireland.

This is an attempt to avoid a "hard border" being created with the Irish Republic, which is a separate country and will remain part of the E.U. after Brexit.

Many fear any kind of Irish border would see a return to sectarian violence that plagued the region until a peace deal in 1998.

Alexander Smith

Alexander Smith is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital based in London.

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2019-10-19 16:11:00Z
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UK lawmakers delay Brexit vote and force Boris Johnson to ask for deadline extension - CNBC

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson

SIMON DAWSON | AFP | Getty Images

U.K. lawmakers have voted to amend a crucial Brexit vote which now forces the government to seek an extension to the deadline and delays full approval.

The amendment, introduced by former Conservative lawmaker Oliver Letwin, withholds approval of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's withdrawal agreement with the European Union until legislation is in place, and was passed 322 to 306.

The move automatically triggers the "Benn Act" which forces the prime minister to request a further extension to the October 31 deadline until January 31.

Speaking after the setback, Johnson said the government will not table the meaningful vote on Saturday.

"The opportunity to have a meaningful vote has effectively been passed up," Johnson said.

"I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so," Johnson added. However by law, according to the Benn Act, Johnson has until 11:00 p.m. London time to send a letter the EU requesting an extension. It is yet to be seen how the prime minister will attempt to circumvent this.

Supporters of the Letwin amendment suggest that it prevents the Government forcing through a no-deal Brexit at the end of October, while its opponents argue that it is a stalling tactic by anti-Brexit lawmakers.

"Next week, the Government will introduce the legislation needed for us to leave the EU with our new deal on Oct 31 and I hope that our European colleagues and friends will not be attracted, as the opposite benches are, or should I say the front bench opposite, by delay," Johnson further added.

The Withdrawal Agreement Bill will be introduced in the House of Commons early next week and would potentially mean a vote on Tuesday evening on what is termed the "second reading," the initial stage of a passage of bill through the House of Commons.

Should it pass, this would be the first time the House has passed any bill relating to Brexit. Should it then ascend to the House of Lords, parliament's upper chamber, and pass before the deadline, there is still a possibility that the U.K. leaves the EU on October 31.

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2019-10-19 13:53:00Z
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Brexit's 'super Saturday' delivers yet more confusion and delay - NBC News

LONDON — It was billed as the day that might break the U.K.'s Brexit deadlock. In the end, as with everything else in this tortured process, Saturday delivered in more confusion and delay.

Abuzz with anticipation, the British Parliament gathered for its first Saturday sitting in 37 years, a marquee event billed as "super Saturday."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson wanted to get Parliament's approval for his Brexit deal, a major step toward leaving the European Union at the end of the month.

However, rebel lawmakers had different ideas.

After a morning of heated debate and drama in the House of Commons, the rebels succeeded in their efforts to make Johnson wait for the big Brexit moment on which he has staked his political career.

Opening the debate Saturday, Johnson urged lawmakers to approve what he called "a deal that can heal the rift in British politics, unite the warring instincts in us all."JESSICA TAYLOR / AFP - Getty Images

Rather than delivering a decisive yes-no answer, the rebels opted for a third route: Withholding final judgment on the deal and forcing Johnson to ask Europe for yet another extension.

Let our news meet your inbox. The news and stories that matters, delivered weekday mornings.

They want more time to scrutinize and possibly tweak his plans. They also want to avoid the risk of the U.K. crashing out of the E.U. without a deal at all.

This extreme scenario could cause economic pain, food shortages and even civil unrest, according to expert models and government forecasts.

The Letwin amendment

Lawmakers voted 322 to 306 in favor of the Letwin amendment — named after former Conservative Cabinet member Oliver Letwin, who devised the motion.

He was one of 21 rebels the prime minister fired from the party last month for opposing his hardline plans.

Related

Johnson must now write a letter to the E.U. later Saturday asking for yet another extension. But he has nonetheless vowed to stand by his promise to deliver Brexit at the end of the month.

"I will continue to do all I can to get Brexit done on Oct. 31," he said after losing the vote on the amendment.

The government has signaled it will attempt an effective re-run on Tuesday, which could yet deliver Johnson's historic moment.

Saturday's delay means the door is still open for a host of other options, including an early general election or even a second referendum.

Johnson's plan seeks to scrap all of the major trading rules that currently bind the U.K. to the E.U. But it will keep some of these ties in Northern Ireland.

This is an attempt to avoid a "hard border" being created with the Irish Republic, which is a separate country and will remain part of the E.U. after Brexit.

Many fear any kind of Irish border would see a return to sectarian violence that plagued the region until a peace deal in 1998.

Alexander Smith

Alexander Smith is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital based in London.

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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/brexit-balance-ahead-decisive-super-saturday-u-k-parliament-n1068666

2019-10-19 13:50:00Z
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