Parliament votes to withhold full approval of Brexit deal, postponing Boris Johnson's moment
Source: Washington Post
LONDON British lawmakers voted Saturday to withhold support for Prime Minister Boris Johnsons new Brexit deal until all the supporting legislation is passed. The vote scuppers Johnsons hopes to finalize Brexit on an extraordinary Super Saturday session. It was a significant loss for Johnson, who had hoped for a Brexit finale in an extraordinary Super Saturday session. But it is not a fatal blow against his deal.
Minutes after the vote, Johnson pledged to the House of Commons, no delays. The prime minister said he would seek approval of his Brexit deal in a session in the coming week. Based on previous legislation, passed months ago, Johnson is now required to formally seek a three-month extension from the European Union. Opposition leaders said Johnson is now required by law to seek a delay.
Johnson began his remarks on Saturday by thanking lawmakers for gathering on a Saturday for the first time in 37 years, the first time in a generation, since Britain fought in the Falklands. The prime minister conceded that the Brexit debate which he launched has taken a toll. Since Britain voted in June 2016 to leave the European Union, he said, friendships have been strained, families divided, and the attention of this house consumed by a single issue that has at times felt incapable of resolution.
Johnson said: But I hope, Mr. Speaker, that this is the moment when we can finally achieve that resolution. The prime minister called his deal a new and better way forward for Britain and Europe. The British leader needs to win 320 votes in Parliament to pass his Brexit deal. Number crunchers on Saturday morning said it was too tight to call, but could see pathways for him to win the support he needs.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/boris-johnson-faces-historic-brexit-vote-in-parliament/2019/10/19/dba7cc70-f1a8-11e9-bb7e-d2026ee0c199_story.html
Full headline: Parliament votes to withhold full approval of Brexit deal, postponing Boris Johnsons moment of reckoning
Original article -
This is a developing story and will be updated.
rurallib
(62,448 posts)Denzil_DC
(7,257 posts)means he can't legally refuse to send a letter to the EU requesting an extension to the 31 October Brexit deadline, as the Benn Act specifies he must.
If he does, that court will reconvene on Monday. He could end up being hauled before it, and/or the court could even write the letter on his behalf.
rurallib
(62,448 posts)Denzil_DC
(7,257 posts)Here's an excerpt of an interview with Lord Dyson that sets out the legal situation:
The biggest worry now concerns the Benn Act. This law says that if parliament does not approve a Brexit deal, or no deal, by 19th October, Johnson must request an extension to Article 50. The government has given assurances in the courts that the PM will act in accordance with the law. Yet No 10 has aggressively briefed that Johnson will not seek a delay. If the PM refuses to meet his obligation, would the courts forcefully intervene?
That is, of course, a possibility, Dyson said. He told me that Jonathan Sumption, another former Supreme Court justice, was recently asked a question on whether, if Boris Johnson simply crashed out without a deal in breach of the Benn Act, that would be unlawful, and he said yes it wouldand thats obviously right. As to what the consequence of that would be, well, he wouldnt be committing a contempt of court unless the court actually injuncted him beforehand. As yet the courts have not gone beyond seeking government assurances, but a second hearing is scheduled in the Scottish Appeal Court for 21st October, to assess the situation again and, if necessary, make an immediate order.
If the courts were persuaded to grant an injunction, and Johnson still nevertheless [refused], then he would be committing a contempt of court for which he could be punished, possibly even sent to prison.
https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lord-dyson-what-happens-if-johnson-defies-brexit-extension-law-benn-act-parliament-supreme-court
Denzil_DC
(7,257 posts)Link to tweet
@mattholehouse
Joanna Cherry QC reminds House that her case compelling the PM to write a letter an extension returns at the Court of Session recommences on Mon morning. Bercow says if he's asked by the judge to write the letter, he will.
The court could also invoke the principle of "nobile officium" and send the letter itself, but it would no doubt prefer to keep at arm's length from parliamentary proceedings.
BumRushDaShow
(129,441 posts)It would make sense for Bercow to write it up for the court (representing the will of the Commons) if Johnson decides to go rogue.
Denzil_DC
(7,257 posts)so all it requires is a valid signature and delivery.
What the EU does as a result is its decision, of course.
BumRushDaShow
(129,441 posts)while the UK twists in the wind, is going to add to the stress. I can see Macron laughing his ass off, mentally invoking hundreds of years of rancor between England and France.
With the Chunnel in place since the UK's EU membership and should any type of Brexit actually happen, it will be a nightmare dealing with a sudden re-instituted "border" under the English Channel.
BooScout
(10,406 posts)Well today just got more interesting, lol
https://m.
DavidDvorkin
(19,485 posts)What are you waiting for?
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,192 posts)Poor BoJo