Brexit Day Changed - Not With a Bang, But a Whimper!

Just published: the secondary legislation amending the definition of "exit day" in UK law: https://t.co/IvmPUt2tbM pic.twitter.com/owOjV7IyQK

— Steve Peers (@StevePeers) October 30, 2019

Boris Grudgingly Accepts EU Extension With Veiled Threat

Boris has grudgingly accepted the EU extension, but with a veiled threat:

"We will of course not seek to deliberately disrupt the EU's business..."

No More Renegotiations...Deja Vu?

The EU is really, really not going to renegotiate the WA again. Like the last time. pic.twitter.com/JVDQn2fJUO

— Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) October 28, 2019

Brexit Will Go On and On and On

#BREAKING -- #EU's Tusk says that the EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure.

— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) October 28, 2019

Will They or Won't They?

Even the most slow witted citizens of this country have finally woken up to the fact that the EU has de facto control over Parliament, welcome to reality David!

The French President has more influence over the length of our extension than the British Prime Minister.

Brexit is not taking back control, it's giving it away.

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) October 24, 2019

Thus we are waiting for the EU to decide if they will grant us an extension and, if so, how long it will be.

Word on the street is that a decision in principle will be given today, but the length of the extension (assuming one is granted) won't be communicated until next week.

Whilst the EU makes up its mind, I offer a modest piece of advice to them. On the assumption they prefer a deal, rather than a no deal Brexit (and that is a reasonable assumption), may I point out that every time they have given us an extension of several months the idiots in Westminster have squandered that time to delay making a decision.

Thus I recommend that the EU heed Macron, and grant an extension of 2 weeks; thereby forcing Westminster to face a choice between no deal or Boris's deal.

You will be surprised at how quickly the rats in Westminster change course from jumping over the cliff edge!

Restoring Control?

Without any sense of irony whatsoever, it has come to pass that the fate of Boris's bill (pull it and call an election, or push ahead with it for a couple of weeks) rests with the EU who will ponder how long an extension to grant the UK.

- A short one, and Boris will proceed with the bill.

- A long one, and Boris will pull the bill and try to call an election.

We will not know the EU's decision until Friday (odds are they will grant a long extension to 31 January 2020).

Boris's Deal Now In Limbo

Boris managed to obtain a respectable majority of 30 for his deal last night in Parliament (allowing it to go to committee stage). However, his timetable ("The Programme") was voted down.

What does this mean?

1 The deal is now in limbo.

2 The 31 October deadline will be missed.

3 The EU now will decide if it will grant an extension and, if so, for how long.

NB: Boris says the ball is in the EU's court, whilst the EU want to hear from the government why it needs and extension and what it will do with it.

In other news, the government is considering calling a vote of no confidence in itself in order to try to force a general election to end the paralysis.

A Bridge Too Far?

Boris and co will attempt to push through the WAB in the next two days.

That is a very "bold" undertaking (notwithstanding the fact that parliament has spent around 500 hours debating Brexit).

Methinks it is a bridge too far!

Bercow Nixes Vote On Boris's Deal

"Today's motion is in substance the same as Saturday's motion and the House has decided the matter, today's circumstances are in substance the same as Saturday's circumstances" - Speaker says it would be "repetitive and disorderly" to vote on Brexit dealhttps://t.co/7nLQlraJ6y pic.twitter.com/rfdatG08pP

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 21, 2019

Ultra Shenanigans Alert!

After Saturday's fun and games, where the Letwin Amendment blew Boris's deal out of the water (on Saturday at any rate) and Boris sent a series of letters (one unsigned), we can expect ultra shenanigans this week.

I have to say I have absolutely no idea where this will all end up, apart from the fact that the country is being well and truly shafted by those in Parliament!

The Changed Parts

And here's where the UK has published the full text of the changed parts of the deal https://t.co/5xdiXtqaZd

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) October 18, 2019

Like It or Loath It, Move On!

As parliament gears up for "Super" Saturday and the vote on Boris's deal, the "ultras" on both sides of the discussion (leave without a deal, or remain) are doggedly refusing to budge and will do their best to scupper it.

For the rest of us it is clear that whether you want, to leave or to stay, the time has come to end this paralysis and anger and move on.

Play the hand you have been dealt with, not the one you want!

Oops!

DUP source suggests the party may not be on board with the deal: "Has the EU changed its mind since 7am? You have our statement".

— Arj Singh (@singharj) October 17, 2019

Juncker Confirms Deal

🇪🇺🤝🇬🇧 Where there is a will, there is a #deal - we have one! It’s a fair and balanced agreement for the EU and the UK and it is testament to our commitment to find solutions. I recommend that #EUCO endorses this deal. pic.twitter.com/7AfKyCZ6k9

— Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) October 17, 2019

Boris Confirms Deal

We’ve got a great new deal that takes back control — now Parliament should get Brexit done on Saturday so we can move on to other priorities like the cost of living, the NHS, violent crime and our environment #GetBrexitDone #TakeBackControl

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 17, 2019

The Deal Is Done - DUP Onboard!

Brussels Agrees Brexit Deal - Ulster Says No!

Thusfar the DUP are not signing up to the Brexit deal...things may change as the day progresses..or not!

Barclay Spaffing With Optimism

Stephen Barclay bullish on the chances of a Brexit deal getting through Parliament by Halloween.

Tells the Brexit Select Committee: 'This is a House that can move very quickly when it wishes to do so... We are confident we can deliver that by the 31st of October.'

— Jack Maidment (@jrmaidment) October 16, 2019

Barnier Says Deal Possible

EU27 ministers were told by @MichelBarnier that a #Brexit deal is possible at this week’s summit but the U.K. and EU would have to reach an agreement by TONIGHT at the latest.

— Adam Fleming (@adamfleming) October 15, 2019

Deal Still Very Possible

#Brexit Sec @SteveBarclay has arrived in #Luxembourg for talks as EU28 following EU27 #Brexit talks this morning: “The talks are ongoing. We need to give them space to proceed, but detailed conversations are underway and a deal is still very possible” pic.twitter.com/qrzkow9DuE

— Sophia McBride (@sophiacmcbride) October 15, 2019

PM Rules Out Long Delay

A lot of Tory ministers and MPs - proper Brexiters, some of them - tell me they would be happy to see Brexit delayed a few days after 31 October to finalise technicalities, tie up loose ends. And Brussels mooting that as possibility with me. But this is what Downing St...

— Robert Peston (@Peston) October 15, 2019

A delay of a few days seems to be acceptable, and that would be perfectly reasonable.

Merkel's View of The Future

Stunning remarks about #UK by Angela Merkel in Paris to meet @EmmanuelMacron. "With the departure of Great Britain, a potential competitor will of course emerge for us. That is to say, in addition to China and the United States of America, there will be Great Britain as well" 1/

— David M. Herszenhorn (@herszenhorn) October 13, 2019

A pretty fair assessment imho.

Barnier Given Green Light To Enter The Tunnel

NEW: Michel Barnier has got green light from the EU27 for there to be tunnel negotiations

— Daniel Boffey (@DanielBoffey) October 11, 2019

The Word of Tusk

The UK has still not come forward with a workable, realistic proposal. But I have received promising signals from Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar that a deal is possible. Even the slightest chance must be used. A no deal #Brexit will never be the choice of the EU.

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 11, 2019

Tusk Flip Flops

Donald Tusk reveals he set PM Johnson private deadline of today to table a new Brexit plan and says he's received 'promising signals' from Varadkar about latest UK offer. 'There's no guarantee of success and the time is practically up but even the slightest chance must be used.'

— Nick Gutteridge (@nick_gutteridge) October 11, 2019

Tusk Blocks "Pathway"

BREXIT: EU'S TUSK SAYS UNFROTUNATELY, WE ARE STILL IN SITUATION IN WHICH UK HAS NOT COME FORWARD WITH REALISTIC AND WORKEABLE PROPOSAL - RTRS

Not quite the "pathway" reported on the Wirral ...

— Martin Baccardax (@mdbaccardax) October 11, 2019

The Dance Continues

Going to need to wait to see if Boris has indeed given major concessions. But two things we now know for certain. Ireland said they wouldn't engage in bilateral negotiations. They have. The EU said they wouldn't reopen the WA. They have.

— (((Dan Hodges))) (@DPJHodges) October 10, 2019

Jeremy Hunt's Letter To EU Foreign Ministers

My message to EU foreign ministers: pic.twitter.com/YA0KUXeH9x

— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) October 10, 2019

DUP Reject EU Concession

via GIPHY

DUP already rejecting latest offer from EU

Sammy Wilson, DUP Brexit spokesman:

'It will go nowhere. The Govt in Westminster will not accept it, we will not accept it,

'I don't think anyone who looks at it with any kind of objectivity at all will say it's an improved offer' https://t.co/hNTBsMPWEl

— Steven Swinford (@Steven_Swinford) October 9, 2019

Special Sitting Saturday 19 October

Whatever happens, deal or no deal, govt will call MPs to Westminster for a special sitting on Saturday Oct 19th - could be decisive day in Parliament in aftermath of EU summit

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) October 9, 2019

Sniff of an EU Concession - Thread

NEW EU ready to make a major concession on consent by allowing a double majority in the NI assembly to leave new Irish backstop after (as yet) unspecified number of yearshttps://t.co/BtBTS1TxaR

— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels) October 9, 2019

The Deal Just Died - Thread

1. PM spoke to Merkel at 8am this morning - No 10 source says she said there could only be a deal if Northern Ireland stays in Customs Union, if not, then deal is 'overwhelmingly unlikely'

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) October 8, 2019

10 Million Brexit Coins To Mark Brexit Day

More than 10 million Brexit 50p coins to be minted - three times more than previously thought' | via @telegraph https://t.co/kabGzaAQWL

— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) October 7, 2019

The Deal Has But a Few Days Left To Live

Number 10 source saying that if, as they expect, their Brexit offer fails in the next few days it won’t be revived. Instead, Tories will fight election on ‘no more delays, get Brexit done immediately’https://t.co/Yp92XCKPFu

— James Forsyth (@JGForsyth) October 7, 2019

The source quoted in the Spectator makes the following points very clear:

1 The government doesn't think that the EU will agree to Boris's deal.

2 The Benn Act has in effect destroyed the deal.

3 The Benn Act will not succeed in delaying the UK's departure.

3 On the assumption the deal fails, we leave on 31 October without a deal, or immediately after a general election without a deal.

The Week of Shenanigans

This week also likely to be the week where it's clear if there could be a Brexit deal before end of Oct or not - and therefore whether PM headed for a giant political and legal car crash, or not.... don't bet more than a tenner on a smooth resolution

— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) October 7, 2019

The Brexit Endgame

We are now entering the final few weeks of the Brexit endgame, the result of which will be known by the end of this month. Here are the possible outcomes:

1 Brexit with a deal

2 Brexit without a deal

3 Extension

4 Brexit cancelled.

Boris The Whirlwind

Boris Johnson is believed to be planning a “whirlwind tour” of EU capitals as increasing numbers of MPs indicate they will back his plan.

Will this work?

Who knows?

One thing for sure, the Benn Bill actually makes it less likely he will succeed in persuading the EU to accept his proposals....there's "irony" for you!

Boris's Cunning Brexit Plan

Boris Johnson will reveal his cunning Brexit plan today.

In order for it to even stand a small chance of working domestically, it will have to at least look as though we have made a sensible and serious offer to the EU.

We shall see!

Checks Somewhere - But Where?

Most significant bit of Boris Johnson’s Today interview was his declaration that it is ‘just the reality’ that there are going to have to be checks somewhere on the island of Ireland https://t.co/Ohh7VIjSps

— James Forsyth (@JGForsyth) October 1, 2019