United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apparently wants to bring about new elections before the EU's exit, should the MEPs block an unregulated Brexit. This is reported by several news agencies and British media, citing numerous government officials.
Accordingly, the election is expected to be held on 14 October, when the parliament returns from a compulsory break lasting several weeks. The Johnson had prescribed, they should enter into force from next week. Johnson can not bring about a new election without the opposition. For this, the prime minister needs the support of two-thirds of all MPs in the lower house.
Johnson had said on Monday evening that he did not want to call new elections. Speaking on Downing Street, he said the Brexit will be on time - "no ifs and buts". On-time means that Britain will leave the European Union by 31 October at the latest, with or without agreement. Already in the course of Monday was speculated about a possible new election.
Video: Johnson rules out Brexit shift
AFP / Ben Stansall
Johnson's statement was apparently addressed to the opposition and a group of about 20 Tory MPs. Because of the imminent compulsory break, they are planning to force the Prime Minister to give in to his tough Brexit course later this week. For example, former Justice Minister David Gauke said he would face his own party leadership for the first time in his 14 years in parliament.
According to a bill presented on Monday evening, they want to force a three-month extension of the Brexit deadline should no agreement with the EU be adopted by 19 October. Because the parliament returns only on Tuesday from the summer break and is only until Sunday time to push through the bill, remain the no-deal opponents only a few days.
The bill makes precise specifications on how the application for renewal should proceed. Even the wording of the letter to EU Council President Donald Tusk is given in it. This is to prevent Johnson from circumventing the law by, for example, linking the application to unenforceable conditions.
Johnson threatens with hard Brexit
Previously, Johnson and the Whips Office had stated that Tory MPs who oppose the no-deal Brexit would henceforth be partisan in parliament in Westminster. But the rebels did not let that dissuade them. Representative Antoinette Sandbach told Sky News that she was even ready to lose her job to avoid leaving the EU without an agreement.
Should Brussels not agree to Johnson's call for changes to the withdrawal agreement, the Prime Minister threatens to take his country out of the EU on 31 October without any agreement. So far, the EU rejects that, as long as London provides no actionable proposals for it. In the case of a disorderly exit from the EU, serious consequences for the economy are expected, especially in the UK.
While Brussels is currently seeing the British government in search of a solution to pressure, British Prime Minister Stephen Barclay has attacked the EU in several newspaper interviews. He accused Brussels of a lack of compromise and an "absolutist approach". He personally noted a departure from Brussels' clear line in several EU capitals. "There you are open to creative and flexible solutions," Barclay told The World newspaper and other European media.
Anthony Devlin / Getty Images
Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn wants people to vote
Opposition speculates on new elections
Because of the feared consequences, the opposition to Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn wants to prevent a hard Brexit. Corbyn also supported a new election. "In this election, Labor will give people the chance to regain control to have the last word, with credible options on both sides, including the ability to stay (in the EU Ed.) ," said Corbyn.
Should there be a new election, the opposition should insist on an election date before the expiration of the Brexit period. For Johnson, however, an election after the EU exit would be more advantageous, because then he would have less to fear the competition of the Brexit party of Nigel Farage.