UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to pass his own latest version of the Brexit deal through an emergency session of Parliament on Saturday, forcing him to request an extension from the EU per a previously-set October 19 deadline. Johnson’s own feelings on the matter were made clear, however, as the unsigned request for an extension that was mandated by Parliament earlier in September was accompanied by a signed letter urging EU leaders not to grant the extension. The Benn Act passed on September 9th demanded the extension be requested,…
Both major UK parties appear to be making preparations for a general election in the face of Boris Johnson’s controversial decision to suspend parliament last week. With little time now available to MPs to pass a bill that would prevent a no-deal Brexit, the opposition’s only alternative is a vote of no-confidence to overthrow Johnson’s government, in hopes that a new election would bring new leadership prior to October 31 and convince the EU to allow a further extension to the Brexit deadline. Within the Labour party, former leader Tony…
Jeremy Hunt, the UK foreign secretary and one of two contenders to be the next Tory leader and Prime Minister, announced in a BBC interview that he would pursue a no-deal Brexit even if it meant telling businesses to prepare for collapse. According to Hunt, “At the beginning of October, if there is no prospect of a deal that can get through parliament, then I will leave at the end of October because that is our democratic promise to the British people.” Questioned whether he would be willing to tell…