Big Brexit Backfire for Boris.
2nd Brexit Deal, 4th vote, and…………………out!
Parliament sat for the first Saturday in 37 years to vote on Boris Johnson’s renegotiated Brexit deal.
This is what the House of Commons looked like as the PM delivered his address.
Attribution: BBC.
The address was responded to by Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
His words? Simple.
“Labour will not back this deal.”
In his view, Boris Johnson has renegotiated the deal and made it worse and the Government cannot be trusted.
Jeremy Corbyn. Attribution: BBC.
Please Sir, I want some more….
Oliver Letwin introduced an amendment to the Bill which essentially provided for MPs to not approve a deal until legislation is passed, and as a result requiring the PM to negotiate an extension beyond 31 October to ensure there is no ‘crash-out’ of the EU (something Johnson has previously said he will not do).
Oliver Letwin. Attribution: The Telegraph.
The verdict?
The Speaker of the House, John Bercow. Attribution: BBC.
322 voted for the Letwin Amendment, effectively defeating Boris Johnson’s deal. Yikes.
The snub, the walk out.
Boris Johnson declined the Speaker’s request to stay, and flatly walked out.
The snub. Attribution: BBC.
But, we wanna go again!
Outside Parliament, thousands demonstrated for a second referendum. Three years is a long time and it seems many people now want another say in the matter.
This again shows how slick and influential Nigel Farage’s populist machine was prior to the first vote - and it also shows how asleep at the wheel the Bremain movement was.
The letter(s).
Most probably with bile in his mouth, Boris Johnson sent a letter to Brussels requesting a delay under Article 50.
The BBC reported that more than one letter was sent, with the second letter, signed by Johnson and suggesting to the EU that he did not think the delay should be granted.
Presumably this is because he doesn’t want his deal under intense scrutiny over a prolonged period. Also, a ‘yes’ now would have segued into 14 months of negotiations for a free trade deal - something that Labour and others would prefer to have ironed out prior to making final commitments.
The letter was received before 2.00pm Brussels time Saturday, and Donald Tusk responded.
Summary.
House of Commons voted 322 to 306 in favour of the Letwin amendment.
The amendment requires a delay to Brexit until legislation (in the UK) is passed, meaning another extension to Article 50.
Boris Johnson said he would not “negotiate” an extension with the EU, presumably to ensure his deal is not heavily scrutinised, but nonetheless was forced to send a letter to Brussels.
Perhaps the sending of a letter is not a negotiation, but then again, doesn’t the sending of the second letter amount to a negotiating against one’s self?
What now?
It is now not clear in the aftermath of the letters whether Johnson will still take his deal back to the Commons on Monday (today), for a ‘meaningful vote.’
Even if he does, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour will no doubt be hoping the Speaker will simply say that the PM cannot put the same Bill to Parliament again.
On the other side of the Channel, the EU will probably wait until after Monday, before responding.
Stay tuned.
Mike.
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