Brexit negotiations in the live ticker: How is Westminster going?

United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum

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That's it: Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to lead the British out of the EU on 31 October - "come what may." The opponents of a disorderly Brexit, however, have on Tuesday whipped a law through the lower house, which could force a further extension of time. Now the struggle continues in the upper house, the approval of which is necessary. Until Friday night, it is expected that the Lords will approve the law.

A petition by Johnson on new elections, however, was denied by the parliament. The opposition wants to first make sure that the no-no-deal law is passed.

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No alternatives for Irish border

The so-called backstop is the biggest issue in the already negotiated exit agreement between the British and the EU. The UK government rejects the emergency solution but has not yet presented any robust alternatives for future regulation at the border with Ireland, according to EU officials. (What is behind the backstop, you can find out here.)

At the same time, she said she would only aim for a very limited free trade agreement with the European Union in the future, EU officials told Reuters. The government in London wants to allow differences to the EU with rules such as state aid.

The British assumption that the EU would give in to pressure in the negotiations and that an agreement could be sealed at the EU summit on 17 and 18 October and then ratified in time for the planned Brexit on 31 October is unrealistic it continues.

The statements come from a briefing for the ambassadors of the remaining 27 EU countries by EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier .

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The quick overview

When wrestling for the Brexit you can ever lose track. That's why here summarized the events of the past days :

• On Tuesday , the British Parliament returned from the summer break. The opponents of Premier Johnson succeeded directly a first coup: Parliament Speaker John Bercow admitted the requested urgent debate on a no-deal Brexit .
• Johnson lost his majority in parliament shortly before. While the prime minister was at the rostrum, conservative MP Phillip Lee democratically left the government faction in protest of Johnson's Brexit policies and sat down among the opposition MPs.
• On Tuesday evening, MEPs then voted to hold a no-no-deal bill . It also turned 21 Tories against the government - they were then excluded from the faction and thus also from the party. (More about Tuesday's events can be found here.)
• On Wednesday evening , the lower house then approved the no-no-deal law . Now the bill is in the upper house.
• With a request for new elections Johnson subsequently failed in parliament. (You can find more about the events of Wednesday here.)
• On Thursday , the government promised to no longer block the law against a hard Brexit. Thus, new elections are likely to be an issue again.