Having twice been denied a vote on whether members of Parliament support his deal, Johnson has introduced the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which would implement the deal in law, and plans to push it through Parliament at a breakneck pace.
His moment of truth will come at around 7 p.m. in London, with what’s known as the Second Reading vote — on whether Parliament agrees with the general principles of the bill. There will then be another vote immediately afterward on his proposed fast-track timetable for passing the law.
The EU leadership gives its own update on the Brexit state of play on Brexit, with Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, and Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, briefing the European Parliament.
Follow developments as they happen here. All times U.K.
Key Developments:
- From 8 a.m., Tusk and Juncker brief European Parliament on outcome of last week’s leaders’ summit
- From 12:30 p.m. The main debate on the general principle of the Brexit deal starts in Parliament
- 7 p.m. House of Commons votes on the general principle of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (known as “second reading”) and then immediately on the proposed fast-track timetable for rushing the law through Parliament (the so-called program motion)
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News there will be “sufficient” time for members of Parliament to go over the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and that the “vast majority” know where they on Brexit.
But MPs from across the House of Commons are threatening to vote against Boris Johnson’s accelerated timetable for his Brexit plan, arguing three days of debate is not enough for proper analysis of the 110-page piece of legislation.
Former Conservative Cabinet minister Rory Stewart, who now sits as an independent, told BBC radio Parliament should have “normal time” to discuss the bill, highlighting concerns from voters who wish to remain in the European Union and a lack of trust in Johnson’s government.
Johnson: Get Brexit Done and Move On (Earlier)
On the eve of the votes, the prime minister appealed to members of Parliament to back his deal and push it through the House of Commons.
“We have negotiated a new deal so that we can leave without disruption and provide a framework for a new relationship based on free trade and friendly cooperation,” Boris Johnson said in an emailed statement.
“I hope Parliament today votes to take back control for itself and the British people and the country can start to focus on the cost of living, the NHS, and conserving our environment,” he said. “The public doesn’t want any more delays, neither do other European leaders and neither do I. Let’s get Brexit done on Oct. 31 and move on.”
Earlier:
Boris Johnson Finally Gets to Put His Brexit Deal to the VoteBrexit’s Big Winner So Far Is Boris Johnson: Clive CrookFacebook Pledges Tighter Scrutiny for Next U.K. Election
To contact the reporters on this story: Robert Hutton in London at rhutton1@bloomberg.net;Kitty Donaldson in London at kdonaldson1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, ;Flavia Krause-Jackson at fjackson@bloomberg.net, Stuart Biggs
©2019 Bloomberg L.P.
