‘Further delay is pointless’: Boris Johnson’s hopes for Brexit deal dashed
The British Prime Minister famously said he’d rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask for a Brexit delay. But that’s exactly what’s happened.
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The European Union says it is up to the UK government to tell the 27 EU member states “as soon as possible” what action it will take after the Brexit deal was not voted on Saturday.
British MPs had gathered on Saturday for a knife-edge vote on Johnson’s Brexit deal for a decision that could have seen the UK finally leave the EU.
At a special session of parliament intended to ratify the deal, politicians voted 322-306 to withhold their approval until legislation to implement the agreement has been passed.
The vote is a major blow to Johnson and means he has to ask the EU to delay Britain’s departure.
MPs have decided by 322 votes to 306 to amend the Government’s approval motion.
— UK House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) October 19, 2019
#BrexitVote pic.twitter.com/4b0y3rF71F
President Macron has phoned Boris Johnson to ask him to clarify the UK's Brexit position and told him a delay is in no one's interest — Reuters
— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) October 19, 2019
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson grudgingly asked the European Union to delay Brexit after the British parliament postponed a decision on whether to back his divorce deal.
But the defiant Johnson also made clear that he personally was opposed to delaying the Brexit, scheduled for October 31.
A law passed by parliament last month set a late-night deadline for the government to send a letter asking the EU for a three-month postponement if MPs had not approved an agreement with the bloc by Saturday.
An hour before the deadline, European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: “The extension request has just arrived. I will now start consulting EU leaders on how to react.”
Johnson made clear he was making the request under duress.
The letter was not signed.
It was accompanied by a second letter, signed by Johnson, arguing that delay would “damage the interests if the UK and our EU partners”.
And here is the unsigned extension letter pic.twitter.com/ujzBajrCh4
— Mehreen (@MehreenKhn) October 19, 2019
Here's Boris Johnson's "bonus letter" to the EU. Says that yes, he's had to ask for an extension, but doesn't want one. His critics will be furious, saying he's trying to circumvent the law. @SBSNews https://t.co/YiaTrYGcwv
— Ben Lewis (@benlewismedia) October 19, 2019
Parliament held its first Saturday sitting since the 1982 Falklands War to debate the terms of a last-ditch divorce agreement Johnson struck with European Union leaders on Thursday.
Opposition parties and Johnson’s own Northern Irish allies had rejected the text but the prime minister and his team had spent the past 48 hours before Saturday’s sitting frantically trying to win the support of wavering MPs.
Johnson warned his deal was still the best way out of the tortuous Brexit process that has left Britain in political turmoil since a 2016 referendum.
The Conservative premier told politicians his deal would be a “new way forward and a new and better deal both for Britain and our friends in the EU”.
But MPs proposed an amendment for approval of the deal to be withheld unless and until all necessary implementing legislation has passed.
Johnson said further delay would be “pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive to public trust”.
“If there is one feeling that unites the British public with a growing number of officials in the EU it is a burning desire to get Brexit done,” Johnson said.
“Further delay is pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive to public trust.”
Amid noisy scenes in the House of Commons, Johnson insisted he was not “daunted or dismayed” by the vote result and remained committed to taking Britain out of the EU by October 31.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Securing a deal was a personal victory for Johnson, a figurehead in the Leave campaign who has vowed to deliver Brexit on October 31 come what may.
But parliament — like the frustrated public — was still bitterly divided over how and even if Britain should end almost half a century of integration with its closest neighbours.
The debate coincided with a mass demonstration to parliament demanding a second referendum, with an option to reverse Brexit.
According to legislation already passed, the vote means Johnson is obliged to write to the EU seeking a delay beyond Britain’s scheduled departure date of October 31.
But Johnson has repeatedly vowed he will not do this.
He has previously said he would “rather be dead in a ditch” than do so.
Any extension would depend on all 27 EU leaders saying yes.
NEXT STEPS
The government still hopes it can pass the needed legislation by the end of the month so the UK can leave on time.
The leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said the government would hold a debate Monday on its Brexit-implementing legislation — effectively a second attempt to secure approval for the deal.
It’s unclear whether that would be allowed under House of Commons rules against holding repeated votes on the same question. Bercow said he would make a ruling Monday.
Originally published as ‘Further delay is pointless’: Boris Johnson’s hopes for Brexit deal dashed