Brexit ‘paused’ - what happens next?
General election seems likely after MPs reject Boris Johnson's timetable
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.
“For the first time in this long process, the government has shown there is a version of Brexit that Parliament might potentially pass,” says the BBC.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, his bid to get the legislation passed by the Halloween deadline failed by 14 votes, even after he threatened to pull it and press for a general election. “Trust this lot to turn triumph into disaster,” says the Daily Mail.
What happens next?
A short delay
Some Tory MPs hope that Johnson might ask the EU to grant a shorter delay of a couple of weeks to get the rest of the legislation through.
The “30-vote majority for [Johnson’s] Brexit deal could tempt Johnson into trying to push the bill through parliament before an election, allowing him to stand as the prime minister who delivered departure”, The Guardian says.
But Downing Street is reportedly reluctant to pursue that approach, fearing that any delay could trap them in weeks and then potentially months of argument and further delay.
Delay until January, and a general election
The EU is expected to accept Johnson’s enforced request for a fresh Brexit delay. A senior EU source said European Council President Donald Tusk will recommend that member states accept an extension until 31 January.
Therefore, Johnson could follow through on his threat of a general election, which he has long sought. The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says Johnson appears to be “giving up on Parliament” after a senior figure told her: “We are just not going to get anything through this Parliament… we have to go to the country.”
Jeremy Corbyn and the other opposition leaders have so far resisted calls for a fresh election, arguing that Johnson might use it to engineer a no-deal Brexit. However, once an extension has been granted, Corbyn will have few excuses to resist calls for an election he too has consistently demanded.
Return of the deal
If, as opinion polls suggest he would, Johnson secured a majority at the election, he would then face less parliamentary opposition to his Withdrawal Agreement.
“One way or another, we will leave the EU with this deal,” he said after yesterday’s vote.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published