U.K. MPs refused to vote on the Brexit deal — and instead forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to seek a three-month extension first instead
He confirmed he would introduce the Brexit legislation to the Commons next week regardless, with government officials suggesting it would be brought forward on Monday.
Commons Speaker John Bercow said he would be willing to write the letter to the EU requesting a Brexit delay if he was"instructed by this House" or if he was"directed or instructed by a court," if the prime minister refuses to comply with the law, although he added that he would have to take further advice on the matter.
But the final nail in the coffin for Johnson was the voting bloc of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, his former allies in government. The DUP backed the amendment despite desperate last-ditch talks between senior figures.with the EU which entails regulatory checks on goods crossing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, effectively creating a trade border down the Irish Sea.
Six Labour MPs who want Brexit done also voted with the government, including their de-facto leader Caroline Flint. But a number of other Labour MPs who said they would back the Brexit deal still voted for the amendment.The mood in parliament for the Saturday sitting was unusual. Many MPs scurried around as though it were business as usual, although a perplexed atmosphere hung over most exchanges.
Chuka Umunna, a former Labour-turned-Liberal Democrat MP who wants a second referendum, told POLITICO it was a “good day for democracy.”
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