Yep, I just see a possible labor move: Get an extension request sent and immediately call for a confidence vote to push an election and a recall or parliament so no vote can be held. It’s far fetched, but we are talking about contemporary U.K. politics…
In that case the EU would accept the extension, I think.
It’s not even clear he can. You can’t bring the same bill back to the commons in the same sitting…
draxen
6607
I can only speculate but I don’t think he has any intention of breaking the law. He just needs to be seen to resist it as much as possible.
EDIT: I have no idea what form that will take.
draxen
6608
Again, only speculation…
I’m unclear as to the Parliamentary rules but from what I understand it the government will try to put the deal up for a vote again on Mon and see if the speaker allows it. If not they will attempt to pass the Withdrawal legislation instead. I recall May using similar tactics to get repeated “meaningless votes” ;)
Why did Boris pull the vote and send everyone home after the amendment passed?
I don’t get it either.
I thought the Letwin amendment was basic common sense, as in agree to the deal once legislation to enact it is enabled, otherwise it’s a worthless deal that Bojo the clown could just throw away if he so chose.
Mind you, it is a worthless deal anyway.
Synth
6611
My guess would be it undermines the case for an extension. The EU position is basically they wont grant an extension unless its for a specific purpose (election, referendum, time to implement agreement etc.). He now gets to request an extension without being able to offer any reason for it because nothing has changed.
They know they have to comply with the both the letter and intent of the law. So they just engineer the worst conditions possible. And lets not forget stalling in general works for them because they wont be too unhappy with a no deal Brexit.
draxen
6612
OK, now I’m really confused. Apparently the motion wasn’t withdrawn?
EDIT: I think Cherry is wrong. From the archives:
“We now come to motion 2 on Section 1(2)(a) of the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019. I remind the House that I have selected the manuscript amendment. Minister or Whip to move. It is not being moved.”
The amendment passed but the motion was not moved.
Can any experts comment?
Oh, Boris asked for the deadline extension:
The extension request has just arrived. I will now start consulting EU leaders on how to react. #Brexit
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 19, 2019
I think the play will now be to try to pass a no confidence motion+election, you know, to keep the wheels spinnnnnnnnnnnnning
draxen
6614
Apparently he sent an unsigned photocopy of the Benn Act and a 2nd letter arguing against further extensions that he did sign :)
Ridiculous but good optics for the upcoming Parliament vs People election.
It seems like the Government are also going to attempt a 2nd vote on Mon if the Speaker doesn’t veto it (and they might have the votes!). Failing that it looks like the WAB.
Man, so he sends the letter but risks being in contempt for not following the spirit of the law?
draxen
6616
Yes. I assume the idea is to generate lots of press when it goes to court. He can splash “Remainer Parliament forced me to do this… blah blah” to help his campaign.
EDIT: Actually it might not even make it to court. The letter was sent and accepted so the law has been fulfilled. The rest is just PR.
wavey
6617
The supplemental letters will no doubt be carefully worded. From what lawyers are saying, if the other letters remove the legal effect of the Benn letter, they will be unlawful. As long as the Benn letter is still capable of being accepted by the EU as a request for an extension, that would be fine. So Boris is free to send as many other letters as he likes containing his personal opinions on the subject, but those opinions will be insignificant, legally speaking.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting test of the frustration principle. The government is sailing pretty close to the wind. No idea how the ruling will go.
So, he’s basically asking for an extension, but using parliament as cover so that he can go on the election trail saying “I didn’t ask for an extension, it was parliament that did it”. Clever.
Labor definitely faces a conundrum now.
Yup. Main chatter seems to suggest the wording was sufficient to stay on the right side of the law.
So the UK has requested an extension. I wonder what will happen next?
wavey
6621
Goodness only knows. I’ve found this useful, though: this chap is still producing flowcharts showing the main possibilities, with speculative odds of each decision. Latest one, from just before yesterday’s parliamentary session:
Seems like we’re on course for either an election or (the chart underates the probability of this I think) being stuck in the weird stalemate we’ve been in for months (years?).
draxen
6624
I think it unlikely due to more wrecking amendments but it’s possible the deal goes through next week.
