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UK opposition parties to discuss latest plans to thwart no-deal Brexit

Opposition leaders in the UK are meeting later to discuss how to stop a no-deal Brexit. A number ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

07.14 30 Sep 2019


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UK opposition parties to discu...

UK opposition parties to discuss latest plans to thwart no-deal Brexit

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

07.14 30 Sep 2019


Share this article


Opposition leaders in the UK are meeting later to discuss how to stop a no-deal Brexit.

A number of opposition politicians have expressed concerns that the British Prime Minister could try to frustrate a law which requires him to request another extension to the Article 50 withdrawal process if there's no deal by mid-October.

Yesterday, Boris Johnson insisted he believes the UK can still leave the EU on the current deadline of 31st October.

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He told BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "We will continue to work tomorrow and in the course of the next few days … to see if we can get this thing over the line. And there’s a good chance.”

He also ruled out resigning if he's forced to seek a delay, suggesting he had "undertaken to lead my party and the country at a difficult time".

According to British media reports, one plan now being considered by the opposition would force Boris Johnson to go to Brussels to seek another delay as early as this weekend.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Liberal Democrats want the current delay deadline brought forward by two weeks.

Efforts to ensure such a change would require opposition parties again seizing control of the parliamentary agenda - during the same week Conservative MPs are attending their party conference in Manchester.

Speaking ahead of this afternoon's meeting with Jeremy Corbyn and other opposition leaders, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the parties need to work together.

He observed: "There is no doubt that [Mr Johnson] will seek to frustrate the legislation in place as we head towards the second half of October.”

He added his party would support “anything that tries to close down his ability” to ignore the Brexit delay legislation.

Main image: File photo of the Palace of Westminster in London. Picture by: Claire Doherty/SIPA USA/PA Images

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Boris Johnson Brexit Ian Blackford Jeremy Corbyn Jo Swinson

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