Letwin amendment passes

[Denzil_DC]

322 for the amendment
306 against it

Johnson now has to write to the EU requesting an extension to the Brexit deadline.

A major factor in tipping the vote by such a margin was the DUP voting for it.

[Soph0571]

1. Yeah but he just said he won't...

This is about to get very rocky!

[Denzil_DC]

3. He's full of bluster and shit, as usual.

"I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so."

I think he'll find it does, due to the Scottish Court of Session decision.

Indications elsewhere are that he'll comply and send the extension request letter.

If not, maybe he'll end up in clink, while the court sends the letter on his behalf.

Nothing can compel him to actively negotiate beyond that, of course.

[Denzil_DC]

8. Lord Dyson (no relation) on how the law stands:

The biggest worry now concerns the Benn Act. This law says that if parliament does not approve a Brexit deal, or no deal, by 19th October, Johnson must request an extension to Article 50. The government has given assurances in the courts that the PM will act in accordance with the law. Yet No 10 has aggressively briefed that Johnson will not seek a delay. If the PM refuses to meet his obligation, would the courts forcefully intervene?

“That is, of course, a possibility,” Dyson said. He told me that Jonathan Sumption, another former Supreme Court justice, was recently asked “a question on whether, if Boris Johnson simply crashed out without a deal in breach of the Benn Act, that would be unlawful, and he said ‘yes it would’—and that’s obviously right. As to what the consequence of that would be, well, he wouldn’t be committing a contempt of court unless the court actually injuncted him beforehand.” As yet the courts have not gone beyond seeking government assurances, but a second hearing is scheduled in the Scottish Appeal Court for 21st October, to assess the situation again and, if necessary, make an immediate order.

“If the courts were persuaded to grant an injunction, and Johnson still nevertheless [refused], then he would be committing a contempt of court for which he could be punished, possibly even sent to prison.”

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lord-dyson-what-happens-if-johnson-defies-brexit-extension-law-benn-act-parliament-supreme-court

[rurallib]

2. Wonder what Johnson's next move is

Sounded like defiance in his speech.

[Mike 03]

4. The Tories have walked out of the Commons

[Denzil_DC]

5. That was telegraphed by No. 10 earlier if the Letwin amendment passed.

The debate may continue, but today's main action is over, except for the question of what happens about the withdrawal request letter.

[Mike 03]

6. Thank you.

Are they allowed to take up the Kyle Amendment with just the MPs remaining?

[Denzil_DC]

7. I don't think it'll happen now.

The Kyle amendment refers to a different motion in favour of a no-deal Brexit, and calls for a second referendum. The government hasn't moved that motion, and it looks like it won't in view of this vote on Letwin.

I think I can now safely go outside and get on with some of the chores I've been putting off anyway!

[Denzil_DC]

9. OK, the House of Commons has now officially adjourned till Monday,

so that definitively answers your question!

[BooScout]

10. "I'd rather be dead & in a ditch"

Lest we forget, lol

https://m.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Boris Johnson confirms he will seek Brexit delay, says Brussels

Boris Johnson has confirmed in a phone call with the European council president Donald Tusk that he is sending a letter requesting a further Brexit delay beyond 31 October.

Despite the prime minister’s insistence that he would not “negotiate” a further extension of the UK’s membership of the EU, he confirmed on Saturday evening that he would be seeking such an extension.

“Waiting for the letter,” Tusk tweeted. “I just talked to PM Boris Johnson about the situation after the vote in the House of Commons.”

An EU source said that in the call between Tusk and Johnson at 8.15pm Brussels time on Saturday the UK prime minister confirmed that the letter would be sent within hours.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/19/eu-will-grant-brexit-extension-if-johnson-sends-letter-says-brussels

On the Guardian's front page, this is just above "No delays, vows PM after humiliating Commons defeat" ...

[Denzil_DC]

12. The three letters Johnson sent to Tusk tonight:

The cover letter:



The extension request, phrased exactly as stipulated by the Benn Act:



(The fact it has no handwritten signature is of no legal significance.)

Johnson's woe-is-me-my-parliament-are-such-a-shower-of-meanies letter, which he bothered to sign:




Tusk has acknowledged receipt of the request and is now acting on it. The two-page whine may be in his office bin.