Johnson in a fix over Brexit deal

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Britain is set to end its five decades of EU membership.

Hopes are rising that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson could get a Brexit deal in the coming days but it remains a tough ask – and his options if he fails are limited.

Britain is scheduled to end its five decades of membership of the European Union on October 31.

Johnson says he will keep this date whatever happens but he is constrained by a law demanding he ask the EU to delay Brexit if he fails to reach a deal next week.

A draft deal was agreed last year but British MPs rejected its arrangements for keeping open the border between British Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. After taking office in July, Johnson proposed a new plan earlier this month but it faced a cool response in Brussels.

A meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday seemed to shift the mood, with both saying there was a “pathway” to a deal. Even if they reach agreement, Johnson must still get it through a hostile House of Commons in London. His aides say this is possible but he has no majority among MPs.

The default legal position is that Britain leaves the EU on October 31 unless it asks to delay, and the other 27 member states agree.

Johnson has repeatedly said he will not seek what would be the third extension of a process that began when British voters narrowly backed Brexit in 2016.

But the so-called Benn Act passed in parliament last month orders him to ask for a threemonth delay if MPs have not agreed to a new deal or approved leaving the EU without a deal, by October 19. Johnson has called a special session of parliament for October 19 – the first Saturday sitting for 37 years – in which those votes are expected to take place.

Johnson and his team have hinted they may try to find a way around the Benn Act, including by forcing the courts to intervene, to allow a “no deal” Brexit on October 31.

But this scenario is feared by the markets and businesses across both Britain and Europe.

With Johnson’s government hamstrung by his lack of majority in parliament, an early election seems inevitable. He tried to force one before Brexit but opposition parties refused, fearing he would use any victory to leave the EU without a deal.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that once that option is off the table, he will support an election.

Speculation is focused on a poll next month. However, there are growing reports that some Labour MPs might oppose this, preferring to wait until Brexit is resolved.