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BumRushDaShow

(129,096 posts) Sat Oct 19, 2019, 09:55 AM Oct 2019

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 Johnson’s new Brexit deal until all the supporting legislation is passed. The vote scuppers Johnson’s 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 Johnson’s moment of reckoning

Original article -

BREAKING NEWS: British lawmakers have voted to withhold support for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal until all the supporting legislation has passed. The vote scuppers Johnson’s hopes for a finale to Brexit in this Super Saturday session, and it sets in motion a possible delay beyond the Oct. 31 deadline.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

11 replies

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Parliament votes to withhold full approval of Brexit deal, postponing Boris Johnson's moment (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Oct 2019 OP

Thanks for posting - sounds like Johnson wants to defy this vote rurallib Oct 2019 #1

A decision in the Scottish Court of Session Denzil_DC Oct 2019 #2

thanks again rurallib Oct 2019 #3

You're welcome. Denzil_DC Oct 2019 #4

If Johnson refuses to send the Article 50 extension request letter, Bercow says he'll do it himself: Denzil_DC Oct 2019 #5

Thanks for that! BumRushDaShow Oct 2019 #7

The Benn Act even specifies the precise wording of the letter, Denzil_DC Oct 2019 #8

And what the EU decides BumRushDaShow Oct 2019 #9

"I'd rather be dead in a ditch" BooScout Oct 2019 #6

Does England not have enough ditches, sir? DavidDvorkin Oct 2019 #10

Awww Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Oct 2019 #11

rurallib

(62,423 posts)

1. Thanks for posting - sounds like Johnson wants to defy this vote

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 10:07 AM

Oct 2019

Denzil_DC

(7,242 posts)

2. A decision in the Scottish Court of Session

Reply to rurallib (Reply #1)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 10:13 AM

Oct 2019

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

(62,423 posts)

3. thanks again

Reply to Denzil_DC (Reply #2)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 10:27 AM

Oct 2019

Denzil_DC

(7,242 posts)

4. You're welcome.

Reply to rurallib (Reply #3)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 10:30 AM

Oct 2019

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 would’—and that’s obviously right. As to what the consequence of that would be, well, he wouldn’t 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

(7,242 posts)

5. If Johnson refuses to send the Article 50 extension request letter, Bercow says he'll do it himself:

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 10:41 AM

Oct 2019

Link to tweet

Matthew Holehouse
@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

(129,096 posts)

7. Thanks for that!

Reply to Denzil_DC (Reply #5)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 12:10 PM

Oct 2019

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

(7,242 posts)

8. The Benn Act even specifies the precise wording of the letter,

Reply to BumRushDaShow (Reply #7)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 12:33 PM

Oct 2019

so all it requires is a valid signature and delivery.

What the EU does as a result is its decision, of course.

BumRushDaShow

(129,096 posts)

9. And what the EU decides

Reply to Denzil_DC (Reply #8)

Sat Oct 19, 2019, 12:47 PM

Oct 2019

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.