United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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A week before the official end of the summer break in the British Parliament, Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn had invited leading members of the other opposition parties to a gathering. Strategies should be developed to thwart Premier Boris Johnson's Brexit plans. In the end, they agreed on a common approach to avert an EU exit without agreements.
"We agree that we will work together to prevent a no-deal Brexit by law," wrote MP Anna Soubry, who leads a group of pro-European former Tory and Labor MPs, on Twitter.
At the same time, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced that the EU would do everything possible to avoid an unregulated Brexit. Following a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Juncker expressed his willingness to speak if Britain makes concrete new proposals for a solution. However, these would have to be compatible with the already negotiated withdrawal agreement, Juncker said about a spokeswoman.
Johnson wants to change the withdrawal contract that has failed several times in the British House of Commons, and above all to cancel the proposed guarantee clause for an open border in Ireland, the so-called backstop. The EU has always rejected this because it wants to avoid border controls between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland in the future as well. If no agreement is found, Johnson wants on October 31, if necessary, a Brexit without a contract.
Speaking out of Downing Street, Johnson said in an interview with Juncker that there was no prospect of a deal, "unless the exit agreement is reopened and the backstop eliminated."
Johnson: "Slightly optimistic"
At the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, Johnson said on Monday that he was "slightly optimistic" that an orderly exit from the EU was possible. But the chances of a deal would depend "exclusively" on the EU's willingness to compromise.
Juncker did not sit back and countered, "A no-deal scenario will be solely the UK's decision, not the EU's." On Wednesday, Johnsons negotiator David Frost is expected to speak in Brussels. Chancellor Angela Merkel had recently ruled out the possibility of finding a solution at short notice. How it should look, but is completely unclear.
For its part, the opposition in London is trying to build pressure on Prime Minister Johnson, who only has one vote in parliament. After a meeting on Tuesday, the leaders declared their will to act together.
Corbyn Criticizes Johnson's "Banker Brexit"
A vote of no confidence against the government remains on the table, said the only Green MP in the House of Commons, Caroline Lucas, the BBC. To overthrow the government is not without risk. Priority therefore has a legislative process to force Johnson to postpone the withdrawal date on October 31.
The British House of Commons returns from the summer break next Tuesday. When and how exactly the no-deal opponents want to implement their plan, was initially unclear.
Opposition leader Corbyn of the Labor party had met with resistance from the other parties in his proposal to form a transitional government under his leadership following a vote of no confidence. In order to prevent an EU exit without agreements, it is necessary that all opposition members pull together, and they depend on the help of rebels from the government faction.
Corbyn again sharply criticized Johnson's plans in a guest feature in the Independent. Johnson is planning a "banker Brexit," he wrote. In the expected crisis laws would then be made, from which only rich benefited. Corbyn demanded a new referendum or a new election.
It could come to an election in a few weeks, should a motion of no confidence against Johnson succeed and no other politician can set up a stable government.
