Boris Johnson has been forced to ask for a
Brexit delay after a cross-party alliance of MPs inflicted yet another defeat on his government.
In an historic Saturday sitting, the Commons voted by 322 to 306 to compel the prime minister to write to
Brussels to extend the UK’s membership of the EU from October 31 to January next year.
The vote means that Johnson’s ‘do-or-die’
Halloween deadline can now be breached if Brexit legislation is not passed in the next fortnight.
MPs backed an amendment by Tory grandee Sir Oliver Letwin which delays the PM’s plan for a straight ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote on his EU divorce proposals.
But after the vote, Johnson vowed to defy MPs, insisting: “I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so.
“I will tell our friends and colleagues in the EU exactly what I’ve told everyone in the last 88 days that I’ve served as prime minister - that further delay will the bad for this country, bad for our
European Union and bad for democracy.”
It sets up a fresh parliamentary showdown next Tuesday, when the government is expected to bring forward its Withdrawal Agreement Bill to enact the Johnson deal struck with Brussels.
Downing Street sources were withering about the fresh delay, but Letwin and other MPs insisted that his new safeguard would actually make it more likely that parliament could now approve his deal.
In line with the Benn Act, Johnson will now have until 11pm on Saturday night to send a letter to the EU 27 requesting an extension of the UK’s EU membership to January 31, 2020
HuffPost
UK understands that allies of the PM are expecting the EU to grant only a short extension, probably up of a couple of weeks, in order to help the deal get through the Commons and avoid a general
election or second referendum.
Earlier, Johnson signalled that he would indeed comply with the law, however with a strong hint that he would also possibly send another message to Brussels that he wanted any delay to be as short as possible.
“I must tell the House again in all candour that whatever letters they may seek to enforce, seek to force the Government to write, it cannot change my judgement that further delay is pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive of public trust,” he said.
Johnson made a direct pitch for the backing of
Labour MPs in Leave areas, but although a handful gave their support many decided that the Letwin move to categorically rule out a no-deal Brexit was needed.
Labour leader
Jeremy Corbyn said his MPs would “not be duped” into believing Tory “empty promises” on workers’ rights and the environment.Related... Labour Leave MPs 'In Turmoil' As They Mull Johnson Brexit Deal How Oliver Letwin Could Go From Zero To Hero Among Brexiteers
Boris Johnson Suggests He Will Request Brexit Delay If MPs Scupper Vote On His Deal