Westminstenders: Another day of fear and toil

[RedToothBrush]

In a move that surprised no one paying attention, Bercow refused to let Johnson put the WA back to the house today after it had already been presented to the house on Saturday.

This move upset the government but was entirely predictable.

This means that the only way the deal can move forward is through the WA's implementation bill (the WAB). It was published for the first time tonight (all 100 pages of it) and it will be presented to the house tomorrow.

In a lightning fast timetable parliament will be asked to scruntise it. This of course is reckless in the extreme for such an important piece of legislation. The speed at which it is being forced through is the thing that looks most likely to ruffle feathers.

The government is still trying to pretend it can make the 31st October deadline and leave by then. The reality is there isn't enough time for parliament to pass the necessary legislation and the EU will need to also ratify the deal, which in a best case scenario won't happen until next week with an extraordinary EU meeting to do so. This is much more likely to occur the week after at the earliest.

The reality is the EU need an extension themselves which is why we are very likely to get at least a short technical one and remain in the EU beyond next Thursday. It's in the UK and EU's interest if we do want to get a deal done.

Everything that Johnson does though is about optics ahead of a GE. It has to play it all as if he has been prevented from leaving as he promised.

We wait to see the pieces of a deal fall into place. It is in progress now finally it seems. For better or worse.

Sky News’ Europe correspondent reports that the EU is ready to offer a delay until the end of January 2020:

Adam Parsons (<strong>@adamparsons</strong>)

NEW: Multiple Brussels diplomats telling me they expect EU to follow Benn Act and give (a prob flexible) extension until January 31st.
<strong>Crucially</strong> am told that, if there is unanimous backing, this could be done in writing - rather than going through full council.*@SkyNews*
October 22, 2019

I know, re TM enjoying this. Give the toleheplayedback in 2016 he deserves all of this and more. I don't feel any sympathy for him, he should have stood for pm back then but let someone else try to pickup the pieces

Oops! Sorry flouncy and thanks for pointing it out here you go!

Do you think we actually will leave the EU in the end?
I'm no longer convinced we will 🤣

Chakra. have you seen this? (apologies if already posted, I have finally had to admit to myself that I will never again be able to keep up with the threads)

Regarding labour backers of the bill, I can't understand why those who opposed TM's bill would support wanker Johnson's, which is far worse for workers?

Singing I saw that on twitter yesterday (and possibly before), it's brilliant.

I couldn't resist a bit of humble-pie-serving in the Brexit Arms.

Bruno Waterfield@BrunoBrussels

So heading for 3 month extension until Feb 2020

It can end early if deal ratified with possible new Brexits of Nov 15, Dec 1 or 15, Jan 1 or 15 2020

All Tusk needs now is unanimity on doing it by written procedure - or else special summit on 27/28 Oct

I never go in the Brexit Arms. Should I walk past and peak in the window? Are they having a punch up, or are they just staring glumly into their half pints?

It’s Wednesday tomorrow. Parliament isn’t prorogued. Does that mean Johnson is actually going to have to do PMQ?

EU response:

Mina Andreeva@MinaAndreeva

@EUCommission
takes note of tonight’s result and expects the U.K. government to inform us about the next steps.

@eucopresident
is consulting leaders on the UK’s request for an extension until 31 January 2020.

LOL at Babooshka
I was just downloading that same picture to post
Amazed that DGR has not yet as he and I seem to have identical FB feeds

Ellie Way back in the midst of time, Joanna Cherry added an amendment to one of May's WA bills, taking No Deal off the table and suggesting if agreement couldn't be reached, A50 would be triggered.

It's a shame because so much of this madness is due to the time pressure of No Deal.

oubliette good point! Wonder what excuse he can come up with... or it will be a blame fest.

I wonder if the 'excitement's now all over until January. I hope a million amendments get added and that Corbyn stands down as leader to let Starmer have a swing at it. He's as stubborn as a mule though.

Cherry would have triggered Revoke to prevent No Deal

Thanks cat.

I never go in the Brexit Arms. Should I walk past and peak in the window? Are they having a punch up, or are they just staring glumly into their half pints?

Dunno, I rarely stay to read. I've just been popping in from time to time to remind them that we're not leaving on 31st October and I'll be back with humble pie.

Oh, and 3 Independent Conservatives who voted against the second reading:

Guto Bebb
Justine Greening
Dominic Grieve

Well done to them.

Failing to pass a budget normally means a VoNC,
but even though SNP might call for one, Labour would probably abstain:

Faisal Islamm@faisalislam*

Also - on whose votes are the Government proposing to pass a Budget in 15 days time?
The Labour 19?

My stupid MP didn't vote against the government on either vote despite being an unwhipped rebel. I'm not surprised though!

even though SNP might call for one, Labour would probably abstain

Seriously. Corbyn needs to go NOW!

So what the hell happens now?

Failing to pass a budget normally means a VoNC

If a budget is not passed, HMRC can't collect taxes ?

 GE atm would NOT be a good idea for the UK

Guto Bebb and Justine Greening are both standing down, so they have absolutely nothing to lose by sticking by their principles. I think both will be a loss. Grieve, is I believe, hoping to stand somewhere. History will show him to have been right.