Brexit

No 10 denies govt split over pre-Christmas election

Downing Street has dismissed reports of disagreements within Boris Johnson's government over how to move forward with the Brexit process. The prime minister has said he will seek a snap general election if the EU decides to delay Brexit until January. But some ministers are reportedly urging him to make another attempt to get his deal through Parliament first. All eyes are on EU leaders, who are deciding whether to grant an extension and, if so, for how long. The question of how to move forward with Brexit follows Tuesday's key Commons votes, where MPs backed the prime minister's deal at its first Parliamentary hurdle but rejected his plans to fast-track the legislation. That defeat effectively ended any realistic prospect of the UK leaving the bloc with a deal by the government's 31 October deadline.

On Saturday, the prime minister was forced by law to send a letter to Brussels requesting a three-month extension. Neither a motion for an early election nor another attempt to get the Brexit deal through has so far been scheduled for next week's

business in Parliament. The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was unlikely the government will decide on either option before the EU gives a response to the extension request.

Cabinet disagreements?

After Tuesday's Commons defeat on the timetable, Mr Johnson said he would pause the progress of his Withdrawal Agreement Bill while he waited to hear from the EU. But he insists the UK will still leave in a week's time, with or without a deal - and he says he has told EU leaders that.

If the EU approves the UK's request for a three-month extension, Mr Johnson would have to accept it under legislation passed by MPs last month. He would also have to accept any alternative duration suggested by EU leaders, unless MPs decide not to agree with it within two days.

Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson's chief adviser, is reported by the Sun to be urging ministers to abandon attempts to get the prime minister's deal through Parliament and go for a December election instead.

 

Brexit

No 10 denies govt split over pre-Christmas election

Downing Street has dismissed reports of disagreements within Boris Johnsons government over how to move forward with the Brexit process. The prime minister has said he will seek a snap general election if the EU decides to delay Brexit until January. But some ministers are reportedly urging him to make another attempt to get his deal through Parliament first. All eyes are on EU leaders, who are deciding whether to grant an extension and, if so, for how long. The question of how to move forward with Brexit follows Tuesdays key Commons votes, where MPs backed the prime ministers deal at its first Parliamentary hurdle but rejected his plans to fast-track the legislation. That defeat effectively ended any realistic prospect of the UK leaving the bloc with a deal by the governments 31 October deadline. On Saturday, the prime minister was forced by law to send a letter to Brussels requesting a three-month extension. Neither a motion for an early election nor another attempt to get the Brexit deal through has so far been scheduled for next weeks business in Parliament. The BBCs political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was unlikely the government will decide on either option before the EU gives a response to the extension request. Cabinet disagreements? After Tuesdays Commons defeat on the timetable, Mr Johnson said he would pause the progress of his Withdrawal Agreement Bill while he waited to hear from the EU. But he insists the UK will still leave in a weeks time, with or without a deal - and he says he has told EU leaders that. If the EU approves the UKs request for a three-month extension, Mr Johnson would have to accept it under legislation passed by MPs last month. He would also have to accept any alternative duration suggested by EU leaders, unless MPs decide not to agree with it within two days. Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnsons chief adviser, is reported by the Sun to be urging ministers to abandon attempts to get the prime ministers deal through Parliament and go for a December election instead.