EU agrees Brexit delay to Jan.31, eyes formal approval on Tuesday

By Gabriela Baczynska and John Chalmers

 

People carrying British Union Jack flag themed umbrellas walk past the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, October 21, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union on Monday agreed a 3-month flexible delay to Britain's departure from the bloc as Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushes for an election after opponents forced him to request an extension he had vowed never to ask for.

 

Just three days before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on Oct. 31 at 2300 GMT, Brexit is hanging in the balance as British politicians are no closer to reaching a consensus on how, when or even if the divorce should take place.

 

Johnson, who became prime minister by pledging - "do or die" - to deliver Brexit on Oct. 31, was driven into requesting a postponement after he was defeated in parliament over the sequencing of the ratification of his divorce deal.

 

The 27 countries that will remain in the EU after Brexit agreed on Monday to put off Brexit until the end of January with an earlier departure possible should the faction-ridden UK parliament ratify their separation deal.

 

"The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a Brexit 'flextension' until 31 January 2020," European Council President Donald Tusk said in a tweet, referring to the idea of a "flexible extension".

 

But EU member states will need Britain to formally respond to its offer of a 3-month delay to Brexit before launching a "written procedure" whereby governments will have 24 hours to accept or reject the delay.

 

"We can only launch the written procedure when we have the agreement of the UK government on the text," said a senior EU official.

 

Two senior EU diplomats confirmed that the written procedure period agreed was 24 hours, effective from the time London accepts the offer of a Brexit delay from Oct. 31 to Jan. 31.

 

Britain's departure has already been delayed twice - from March 29 and April 12 - after Johnson's predecessor,

Theresa May, failed three times to get her deal ratified by parliament.

 

With British politics still paralysed over carrying out Brexit 3-1/2 years after a 52%-48% referendum vote in favour of Leave, Johnson is demanding parliament approve an election on Dec. 12 in return for more time to adopt his deal.

 

But he needs the support of two-thirds of the 650 lawmakers for a new election. A House of Commons vote is due later on Monday.

 

"FLEXTENSION"

 

The EU, forged from the ruins of World War Two as a way to prevent another devastating conflict in Europe, is fatigued by Britain's Brexit crisis but keen not to be held responsible for an economically tumultuous "no-deal" Brexit.

 

French President Emmanuel Macron had been the main hurdle to an extension, arguing there had to be a good reason for a delay and that the British needed to break their own political deadlock. But a source close to Macron said the prospect of an election in Britain had strengthened significantly.

 

The source stressed that the third Brexit delay would come with conditions, including a refusal to renegotiate the divorce agreement and giving a green light to other EU countries to meet without Britain to discuss the bloc's future.

 

The latest delay plan envisages that Britain could be out on Dec. 1 or Jan. 1 should parliament ratify the agreement in November or December, respectively, according to diplomats who deal with Brexit in Brussels.

 

The EU will state that the extension, the third granted so Britain can sort out the details of its departure, will not be used to renegotiate the divorce treaty again, and that London should not impede other essential work by the EU on projects ranging from budgets to climate policies.

 

(The story refiles to insert dropped word "Britain" in lede paragraph).

 

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Heinrich)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-10-28

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Boris, your ditch awaits. 

 

Good God, not again. Let's leave that corrupt corporation known as the EU.

8 minutes ago, Somtamnication said:

Good God, not again. Let's leave that corrupt corporation known as the EU.

Didn't UK lost 3 places this year in the corruption ranking...? 

1 minute ago, Pattaya46 said:

Didn't UK lost 3 places this year in the corruption ranking...? 

It lost  more than 3 places in the "democracy"ranking this year that's for sure. By rejecting democracy the remainers have opened a can of worms I believe they will come to very much regret opening.

6 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

It lost  more than 3 places in the "democracy"ranking this year that's for sure. By rejecting democracy the remainers have opened a can of worms I believe they will come to very much regret opening.

In what way do you suppose remainers will experience regret? We are still in the EU - surely that is a cause for remainer satisfaction?

All those silly old Tory party dotards and angry red faced unionists conned by carpet bagger Boris. Useful idiots.

13 minutes ago, Victornoir said:

Riding on her past glory, the old diva was threatening to go out, announcing her next come back for a new great show.

She still did not know it would be a burlesque parody.

Now she hesitate...

 Great analogy.

Boris & Co my just as well down tools and go on strike.

Even the Callaghan Govt was better than this under Bercow.

15 minutes ago, RuamRudy said:

In what way do you suppose remainers will experience regret? We are still in the EU - surely that is a cause for remainer satisfaction?

When a democratic voting system is overturned by elites that didn't get their way, the public simmer for a while. But they don't simmer for ever. History shows it is not always pretty. A generation that are banning clapping in favor of jazz hands because clapping causes anxiety might not be prepared for the civil strife they cause.

2 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

When a democratic voting system is overturned by elites that didn't get their way, the public simmer for a while. But they don't simmer for ever. History shows it is not always pretty. A generation that are banning clapping in favor of jazz hands because clapping causes anxiety might not be prepared for the civil strife they cause.

A clip in an earlier thread referred to the surprise around the world that;

 

a) France has been disrupted by weekend riots for several months with no mention whatsoever on MSM &

 

b  ) UK hasn't resorted to same!

 

I have no idea how much longer those clowns will get away with it but Nov 5th was historically of similar significance.

10 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

When a democratic voting system is overturned by elites that didn't get their way, the public simmer for a while. But they don't simmer for ever. History shows it is not always pretty. A generation that are banning clapping in favor of jazz hands because clapping causes anxiety might not be prepared for the civil strife they cause.

Which elites are you referring to?

 

The Old Boys from Eaton and the Bullingdon Club running Brexit or the Billionaires and Multimillionaires who funded Brexit.

4 minutes ago, evadgib said:

A clip in an earlier thread referred to the surprise around the world that;

 

a) France has been disrupted by weekend riots for several months with no mention whatsoever on MSM &

 

b  ) UK hasn't resorted to same!

 

I have no idea how much longer those clowns will get away with it but Nov 5th was historically of similar significance.

I did warn you about putting your faith in the serial liar and lazy incompetent Johnson.

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Which elites are you referring to?

The people that think their 48 is bigger than the others 52.

2 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

The people that think their 48 is bigger than the others 52.

Well we agree on that:

 

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/nigel-farage-reminded-of-priceless-2016-comments/15/08/?doing_wp_cron=1572187235.1178140640258789062500

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

Boris, your ditch awaits. 

 

Part of his marketable strategy is to look like he's woken up in one.

4 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

The people that think their 48 is bigger than the others 52.

What ALL the people ought to understand - and accept, it's what's best for Britain that's paramount. And parliament has decided that would take priority. Current consensus is that johnson's brexit deal falls short, albeit there is a ground swell in parliament, as has been shown, who would continue to honour the referendum vote, despite this.

 

Now the extension has been obtained, brace yourself for an election, which regrettably would focus more on brexit e.g. like this forum, than more critical domestic matters, e.g. like getting on with the actualities of life. 

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

The reality is that whatever deal is constructed, it's going to be a lousy deal, and would be rejected by various segments of parliament. A no-deal is just as bad, as it could never be a clean break from the EU, primarily because the UK government would still have to negotiate on all the outstanding and unresolved issues.

 

So honoring the leavers continued mantra, 'democratic will of the people' is totally immaterial and inconsequential to the actuality.

 

That's why a transition period is required - and that could take several years to complete.  

45 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I did warn you about putting your faith in the serial liar and lazy incompetent Johnson.

"DON"T COME CRYING TO ME....WHEN YOUR HOMES ARE BURNED AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE MURDERED!"

 

The above quote from the Rev Ian Paisley was aimed at the RUC 30+ years ago but applies to this parliament today.

By the time we leave the EU my gloat-dance will be so good i'll be able to apply for strictly ????

1 hour ago, stephenterry said:

 

 

So honoring the leavers continued mantra, 'democratic will of the people' is totally immaterial and inconsequential to the actuality.

 

That's why a transition period is required - and that could take several years to complete.  

 

It was the democratic "opinion" of the people.

 

That is why all claims (except from a specific minority in Parliament) that the peoples "will" would be honoured were somewhat........disingenuous.

 

The people have no will that must be obeyed, except at a General Election

 

All politicians involved knew that the opinion poll was not binding, the Bill to authorise it would have never got through Parliament if it had been.

 

The Leave politicians pretended it was, the Remain politicians pretended that they would act according to a "will" which had no authority in constitution, convention or law.

 

A hideous mess resulting.

 

The architects?

 

Cameron, Farage, Johnson, Gove and that minority in the Parliamentary Conservative Party who actually want it (as opposed to the majority who don't and/or only think of keeping their seats).

 

PS No election before '22. No fighting in the streets. The majority just want it to GO AWAY.

 

In other words.......the strategy is working.

 

Be kind to the poor souls who have seen their triumphalism crumble into dust.......they haven't got much left now.

 

 

 

55 minutes ago, evadgib said:

"DON"T COME CRYING TO ME....WHEN YOUR HOMES ARE BURNED AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE MURDERED!"

 

The above quote from the Rev Ian Paisley was aimed at the RUC 30+ years ago but applies to this parliament today.

It seems you are losing your sense of scale.

38 minutes ago, evadgib said:

By the time we leave the EU my gloat-dance will be so good i'll be able to apply for strictly ????

Just don’t consume any of your party food it’ll be well rotten by then and your Morris dance bells will be covered in verdigris.

This is worrying - if true...

 

https://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/revealed-the-hidden-bomb-in-the-eus-extension-offer/

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Just don’t consume any of your party food it’ll be well rotten by then and your Morris dance bells will be covered in verdigris.

I thought that was a film starring James Stewart ????

1 hour ago, evadgib said:

"DON"T COME CRYING TO ME....WHEN YOUR HOMES ARE BURNED AND YOUR FAMILIES ARE MURDERED!"

 

The above quote from the Rev Ian Paisley was aimed at the RUC 30+ years ago but applies to this parliament today.

What a happy fellow you are wishing chaos if you don't get your way. ????????

7 minutes ago, steve73 said:

This is worrying - if true...

 

https://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2019/10/28/revealed-the-hidden-bomb-in-the-eus-extension-offer/

Accepting it will effectively confirm Boris accepts Parliament can steam-roller his Govt, rendering the Govt obsolete & handing the reins to the mob lead by the likes of Bercow & Dom-the-Weasel. 

 

A correct course of action would be via the courts but we already know how that will go.

1 hour ago, Thomas J said:

Many a true word spoken in jest,a big thank you to all the remainers.

5 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Accepting it will effectively confirm Boris accepts Parliament can steam-roller his Govt, rendering the Govt obsolete & handing the reins to the mob lead by the likes of Bercow & Dom-the-Weasel. 

 

A correct course of action would be via the courts but we already know how that will go.

You do understand the Government does not hold a majority?