BRITS RISE UP FOR NEW BREXIT POLL
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will push for a new Brexit vote today, a move that was welcomed by y hundreds of thousands of angry demonstrators who marched on Parliament Square to demand a new referendum on whether r Britain should leave or re- main in the European Union. .
Protesters, many wearing blue berets emblazoned with yellow stars symbolising the EU flag, poured out of subways and buses for the lastditch effort yesterday.
“Another chance for sanity and perhaps rationality to take over, rather than emotion,” filmmaker Jove Lorenty said as he stood outside parliament. “Never give up until the fat lady sings. No one knows what will happen, but we have hope.”
The protest attracted a heavy police presence, with MPs needed to be escorted from the House of Commons by officers.
It came as Mr Johnson was last night close to getting the votes he needs to get his Brexit deal across the line, despite being forced to ask the EU for an extension until January 31. He lost a vote on the weekend 322-306, which resulted in him being forced to ask the EU for extra time.
However, 22 MPs abstained, giving Mr Johnson hope that with their support he might get his deal.
The UK sent three letters to the EU yesterday including an unsigned photocopy of a letter seeking an extension to Brexit as required by law.
He also sent a second letter saying he personally did not want an extension as he maintained he wanted Britain out of the European Union by October 31.
A third letter was sent asking the EU to acknowledge the request.
Mr Johnson’s extra letter said that a delay would be “corrosive”.
“I remain confident that we will complete that process by October 31.
“We must bring this process to a conclusion so that we can move to the next phase and build our new relationship on the foundation of our long history as neighbours and friends.”
Mr Johnson then protested against any more delays.
European Council President Donald Tusk confirmed he had received the first extension request letter.
French President Emmanual Macron is urging Britain to sort out a deal now while Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned an extension was not guaranteed.
Conservative MP Tony Bone was among many frustrated MPs at the delay. “I’m fed up,” he said. “It’s spoiled my birthday. I should be eating cake.”