Boris Johnson has urged MPs to vote for the
Brexit deal agreed with the EU to ensure the
UK leaves on October 31, as Jean Claude-Junker appeared to rule out granting an extension.
The prime minister told a press conference in
Brussels that MPs must “come together to get Brexit done”.
Following days of intense negotiations, UK and EU officials announced an agreement had been reached just hours before the start of the crucial summit of EU leaders.
European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker said he was “convinced” the
British parliament would vote for the deal because it “has to”.
“Anyway there will be no prolongation. We have concluded a deal and so there is not an argument for further delay – it has to be done now,” he said.
Juncker added: “I’m happy about the deal, but I’m sad about Brexit. Have a good time.”
His comments will heap pressure on MPs opposed to a no-deal exit to back the deal agreed by Johnson.
But the prime minister’s chances of winning the Saturday vote in the Commons on the deal are on a knife-edge after the the DUP said its 10 MPs would not be backing it.
A statement from Arlene Foster’s party, which has been in close and regular talks with the PM, criticised his effort for undermining the integrity of the union and being bad for Northern Ireland’s economy.
The stance of the DUP is particularly important because the party wields influence over some hardline Tory Brexiteers and Johnson is far short of a majority in parliament.
Johnson will have to rely on
Labour MPs deciding to defy
Jeremy Corbyn to back his deal as well as the 21 former Tory MPs he kicked out of the party for voting to block a no-deal exit.
If parliament does not back his deal by Saturday, Johnson faces an almighty clash over whether he will request a further Brexit delay from Brussels.
The Benn Act passed by no-deal opponents compels him to ask for a delay to the end of January, but the PM has repeatedly ruled out taking this course of action.
Corbyn was quick to dismiss the PM’s agreement, criticising it for creating a customs border in the
Irish sea.
“As it stands we cannot support this deal,” the Labour leader told reporters in Brussels, adding that it did not seem to have the backing of “many of his allies on his own backbenches”.
Nicola Sturgeon also ruled out her MPs in the SNP backing the deal, insisting it will mean
Scotland alone is “treated unfairly” when the UK leaves the European Union.Related... Ministers Using Abortion Rights As 'Bargaining Chips' In Brexit Talks With DUP