With Parliament sidelined and only days left in before the Halloween end date for the U.K.’s membership in the European Union, Boris Johnson managed to negotiate a proposed deal with the E.U. to avoid the “no-deal” Brexit. However, that plan apparently satisfies no one. From the way the Irish border is handled, to the way protections for worker’s rights are not handled, to a thousand other points that seem to be missing in action, Members of Parliament now sitting down and attempting to determine if Johnson’s deal is actually better than no deal at all.
It’s all coming down to a “Super Saturday” session or Parliament in which the fate of the nation is genuinely going to be determined in the traditional manner — with astounding amounts of yelling. Even though Speaker John Bercow has chopped down each MP’s speaking time to just three minutes, he hasn’t been able to restrain their volume. The accusations and shouts are already flying as members rise in support or opposition.
Though conservatives seem to be falling in line as one after another rises to say they will vote with Johnson, there remain plenty of doubts about his ability to secure a majority. After all, in six previous votes since becoming prime minister, Johnson has lost every single time. And in this case, some of those in the Brexit Party, who have been his allies on other occasions, are actively calling for the measure’s failure because they want a no-deal Brexit. Johnson will need to make up those votes elsewhere, and the outcome is expected to be razor thin no matter which way the vote ultimately goes. In the end, members of Labour and Liberal Democrats may decide that any deal is better than no deal at all. Or not.
Meanwhile, on the streets outside, tens of thousands are marching to demand that Brexit be halted altogether and a second “people’s vote” be held.
It’s a critical day, one whose outcome is going to affect many aspects of U.K. life — and there are already calls for another Scottish independence vote should Johnson’s plan pass. The Guardian is providing regular updates as various speakers rise and the projected vote tally changes.
Saturday, Oct 19, 2019 · 2:02:54 PM +00:00
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Mark Sumner
Well … make it seven losses in a row for Johnson.
Despite Johnson all but going down on one knee to persuade MPs to settle down and vote with him, Members of Parliament have instead passed an amendment requiring Johnson to request a Brexit delay before midnight on Saturday. And the vote wasn’t even that close, with the “Letwin Amendment” winning 322 to 306.
Johnson is now legally obligated to request a delay — which he says he will not do. And the day is far from over.