Brexit pangs
Brexit, once hailed as a grand natural experiment for economists to dissect the repercussions of leaving a low-friction trade environment, has proven messier than anticipated.
Opposition MPs are planning to seize control of parliament next week potentially forcing the disclosure of more government documents, bringing a motion to censure Boris Johnson and strengthening legislation against a no-deal Brexit.
The House of Commons has passed a bill, signed by the British monarch, requiring Johnson to ask Brussels for an extension of Britain’s membership if there is no deal in place by mid-October, Xinhua news agency reported.
Johnson has insisted Britain will leave the bloc “with or without a deal” on Oct. 31.
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Labour, the Scottish National Party (SNP), Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) as well as the Green Party, agreed to meet Monday to consider all parliamentary mechanisms to stop a no-deal Brexit.
The main opposition Labour Party said the parties agreed that stopping a no-deal Brexit was a priority.
Liz Saville Roberts, the Plaid Cymru leader in the Parliament, told Sky News that opposition party leaders agreed that she would investigate what might be done to impeach or censure Johnson.
She said, “I hope that we will find a way of censuring the prime minister. That’s what I raised with the leaders of the opposition parties today. And we will be looking together at how to take that forward.”
The House of Commons rejected a call for a mini-recess next week to enable Conservative politicians to leave Westminster to attend the conference.
Johnson was due to make his keynote speech on Wednesday, one of the highlights of the event. But following the decision, he may now have to be at Westminster for the weekly Prime Minister’s Question time.
Earlier this week, Johnson said that his visit to New York, where he will be attending United Nations General Assembly will not bring any Brexit breakthrough.
For those who were anticipating that the Conservative Party leader might discuss Brexit deal with his fellow European leaders, the news might be a bit disappointing, he added.
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