Brexit ‘paused’ - what happens next?

General election seems likely after MPs reject Boris Johnson's timetable

Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street
Boris Johnson leaves Downing Street on Saturday
(Image credit: Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Boris Johnson’s plan to ram his Brexit deal through parliament in time for next week’s 31 October deadline was blocked by MPs last night, leaving a fresh delay in the process almost inevitable.

The prime minister “paused” his Brexit bill last night after the House of Commons rejected the plan to get it signed off in three days. Earlier, MPs had approved the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at its first Commons vote, called the second reading, by 329 votes to 299.

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