No Brexit vote today – MPs vote derails Johnson’s plan
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After five hours of MPs debating the government’s new Brexit deal in the Commons, there will not be a vote on the deal today.
MPs have voted to force Boris Johnson to delay Brexit beyond his deadline of 31 October, in a spectacular setback to his plans to take the UK out of the European Union.
The Independent reports that the Letwin amendment withholding approval of the prime minister’s EU withdrawal deal was passed by a margin of 322 votes to 306 causing dramatic scenes in the House of Commons.
The vote means Mr Johnson cannot secure a meaningful vote on his deal by the end of 19 October and is required by law to write to Brussels to ask for an extension to the end of January 2020.
The government is now expected to introduce legislation next week – with a first vote possibly on Tuesday.
Sir Oliver Letwin said he’s grateful for the support his amendment gained, and he’s “sure” the PM will comply with the law. He adds that he will support Boris Johnson’s deal and that his amendment means it’s impossible for the UK “to crash out without a deal”.
“The PM will not ask for an extension – he will tell EU leaders there should be no delays, they should reject Parliament’s letter asking for a delay, and we should get Brexit done on October 31 with our new deal,” Downing Street says.
