Britain just had a dramatic, monumental day in Parliament. What happens with Brexit now?
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to play hardball — or the cricket equivalent — with Parliament, and Parliament won Tuesday's at-bat. So what just happened in Britain and what happens next?
What happened Tuesday?
It was high drama in the House of Commons, capped by a 328-301 vote to seize control of the Brexit process from Johnson's government. Johnson also lost his working majority in Parliament then expelled Sir Winston Churchill's grandson and 20 other Tory members of Parliament from the Conservative Party for voting against him — some found out by text message.
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.
What happens next?
Johnson's "defeat leaves the course of Brexit unresolved, with possible outcomes still ranging from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavor," Reuters reports. The lower house of Parliament will vote Wednesday on a bill that would force Johnson to request a Brexit extension until January if he doesn't secure a Parliament-approved exit deal with the European Union before Oct. 31. Johnson said he won't request an extension and moved to hold snap elections, possibly on Oct. 15.
The opposition Labour Party said it won't back Johnson's election gambit, which requires a two-thirds majority, unless the bill preventing a no-deal Brexit passes both houses first. If the bill doesn't pass, Johnson will likely face a no-confidence vote. If the bill becomes law and the EU refuses another extension, Britain leaves will no deal.
What's Johnson case?
Johnson warned Tuesday that "Parliament is on the brink of wrecking any deal we might be able to strike in Brussels" before Oct. 31. But there are significant concerns that Johnson isn't seriously negotiating with the EU — his Brexit negotiation team is a quarter of the size of predecessor Theresa May's team, Sky News reports, and his chief adviser Dominic Cummings reportedly called the Brexit negotiations a "sham," though he denied saying that.
Johnson said the thrice-rejected exit deal May negotiated with the EU is "dead," and there appear to be irreconcilable differences over the Irish border. The EU will reiterate Wednesday that a no-deal divorce would hurt Britain's economy much more than the EU's.
How is Theresa May reacting?
Now a Tory backbencher, May voted with Johnson on Tuesday. She didn't appear crushed at her successor's familiar Brexit pain, though. Peter Weber
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
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there’s an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of distrust in science
In the Spotlight Science and politics do not seem to mix
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will Starmer's Brexit reset work?
Today's Big Question PM will have to tread a fine line to keep Leavers on side as leaks suggest EU's 'tough red lines' in trade talks next year
By The Week UK Published
-
Ex-FBI informant pleads guilty to lying about Bidens
Speed Read Alexander Smirnov claimed that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a bribery scheme with Ukrainian energy company Burisma
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
South Korea impeaches president, eyes charges
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol faces investigations on potential insurrection and abuse of power charges
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden sets new clemency record, hints at more
Speed Read President Joe Biden commuted a record 1,499 sentences and pardoned 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mysterious drones roil New Jersey, prompt FBI inquiry
Speed Read State and federal officials are both stumped and concerned
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Korean president vows to fight removal
Speed Read Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree and said he will not step down, despite impeachment efforts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published