BREXIT DEADLINE: BORIS GIVES MIXED SIGNALS
British PM Johnson shoots two contrasting letters to European leaders
LONDON Boris Johnson has sent an unsigned letter to the European Union seeking an extension of the October 31 Brexit deadline, as well as a second signed note saying he did not want a “deeply corrosive” extension.
LONDON: Bruised by Saturday’s defeat in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent two contradictory letters to the EU - one, asking it to extend the Brexit deadline of October 31 as the law requires, and another one to argue against the proposed delay.
The two missives to Brussels called “silly” and the work of a “spoiled brat” by some critics were prompted by the law enacted in September that forces the UK government to seek an extension if a Brexit agreement is not passed in the House by 11pm on October 19.
The Johnson government suffered a setback on Saturday when an amendment was passed to ensure that parliament withholds approval of the PM’s Brexit deal reached last Thursday until the withdrawal bill implementing Brexit has been passed.
On Sunday, Johnson and his ministers insisted the UK will leave the EU on October 31 by passing a raft of legislation needed to be able to do so. They claim to have the numbers to have it passed in parliament.
However, since there are effectively only eight sitting days in parliament before October 31, getting voluminous legislation passed to implement the agreement will be a challenge for the government - every motion will be subject to amendments.
Johnson’s contradictory letters - the one seeking extension (without his signature) and the other arguing against extension (duly signed) - may land in courts next week, since rebels, opposition MPs and campaigners believe they go against the spirit of the law.
Johnson wrote in the signed letter to Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, that extending the deadline would be “corrosive” in attempts to deliver on the vote of the 2016 referendum to leave the EU.
Michael Gove, who is effectively the deputy PM, said Johnson is determined to meet the
October 31 deadline.
A no-confidence motion in the minority Johnson government is also on the cards after the Scottish National Party announced its intention to move it on Sunday. Another midterm election and a second referendum are among options that may result from the cut-and-thrust in parliament next week.