British PM pressed on ‘Brexit’ debates
More than 100 Members of Parliament have written to Johnson to urge him to reconvene and let them sit permanently until 31 October — the date Britain is due to leave the European Union
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under pressure Sunday to immediately recall lawmakers from their summer holiday so parliament can debate Brexit.
More than 100 Members of Parliament (MP) have written to Johnson to urge him to reconvene and let them sit permanently until 31 October — the date Britain is due to leave the European Union (EU). MP are not due to return until 3 September. “Our country is on the brink of an economic crisis, as we career towards a no-deal Brexit,” said the letter, signed by MP and opposition party leaders who want to halt Britain’s departure from the EU. “We face a national emergency, and parliament must be recalled now,” it added. Parliament is set to break up again shortly after it returns, with the main parties holding their annual conferences during the September break.
Johnson — whose government commands a oneseat majority — insists Britain must leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a divorce deal with Brussels.
Labor main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn wants to call a vote of no confidence in Johnson’s government after parliament returns.
He hopes to take over as a temporary prime minister, seek an extension to Britain’s EU departure date to stop a no-deal Brexit, and then call a general election.
“What we need is a government that is prepared to negotiate with the European Union so we don’t have a crash-out on the 31st,” Corbyn said Saturday. “This government clearly doesn’t want to do that.” However, a YouGov survey found that a majority would rather see a no-deal Brexit than the veteran leftist taking over and staging another referendum.