Brexit - a 'serial drama' with no ending

THE PRIME MINISTER ALSO... OVERCOMES THE LAW

Returning from Brussels, Belgium with a new Brexit deal reached with the EU on October 17, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had hoped he could break the long-standing deadlock in British politics with a vote this weekend. The British Parliament session became a dramatic “Super Saturday” session when it was convened on a Saturday for the first time in 37 years, showing that Brexit is indeed an urgent issue that needs a clear answer as the October 31 deadline is getting closer.

The British Parliament convened on Saturday for the first time in 37 years. Photo: xinhuanet.com

But contrary to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's expectations, British MPs refused to vote on the Brexit deal he had struck with the EU, instead voting on the Letwin Bill - a bill that is said to narrow the government's options by delaying a vote on the new Brexit deal until the necessary legislation is passed to implement the deal. The Letwin Bill's clear aim is to prevent Boris Johnson and his advisers from trying to push for a no-deal Brexit in the event that the new deal fails to get enough votes in Parliament.

But the failure to vote on the new deal was not the only setback for Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Super Saturday. Entering the session with a deal in hand, Johnson once again affirmed his stance that Britain would leave the EU on October 31, and that he would not be swayed by the provisions of the Benn Act, which had been passed by the British Parliament earlier. Accordingly, he would have to send a letter to the EU requesting a Brexit extension in case the agreement between the two sides was not approved.

Under pressure from Parliament, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had to agree to write a letter to the EU asking for a Brexit extension. Photo: Getty Images

However, British MPs have plenty of “weapons” to force Boris Johnson to submit. Before resorting to a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, a hearing before the Supreme Court is scheduled to take place today if Boris Johnson refuses to write the letter. The Court will then give him 24 hours to comply with the requirements of the Benn Act. If he fails to comply with the ruling, the Supreme Court can use a special power, allowing the Court or a representative of the Court to send letters on behalf of Boris Johnson to all 27 EU member states, and of course the content will be asking for a Brexit extension!

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson surprised many people with his "trick" of... circumventing the law by sending two letters at the same time.

Pressure from the Parliament finally forced Boris Johnson to agree to write a letter to the President of the European Commission Donald Tusk asking for a Brexit extension before the 11pm deadline. However, he surprised many people with his "trick" of... circumventing the law: he sent two letters at once. In the letter with the main message of asking for a Brexit extension, Boris Johnson did not sign. Instead, he signed a letter stating the reasons why the British Government did not want to extend Brexit, concluding that a Brexit extension was a bad option for both the UK and the EU. With two letters, it is clear that Boris Johnson has complied with his obligations. However, instead of finding a solution, his letters pushed Brexit into more uncertain scenarios.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's personal letter to Donald Tusk. Photo: AP

ANGRY BRITAIN

Boris Johnson’s two letters have also put EU leaders in a difficult position. That is why European Commission President Donald Tusk made a very brief announcement about the receipt of the letters without any specific statement about the EU’s steps. In principle, EU leaders will have to discuss whether to extend Brexit as requested by the UK. However, it will be very difficult for Europe to make a decision without knowing clearly what the UK really wants and what the UK government will do next.

When the new Brexit deal was agreed, the EU had assurances from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that he would get the deal through Parliament. But what has happened so far shows that Brexit is unfolding in ways that neither the UK nor the EU had anticipated.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Photo: enternews.vn

However, today (October 21), European parliamentarians will still discuss the current situation and urge the British government to clarify its position. Analysts say that the EU is likely to continue to promote the ratification process of the agreement just reached with the UK, in addition to considering extending the Brexit deadline as requested in Mr. Johnson's request letter, although the letter is unsigned.

Just like the atmosphere in Brussels, Belgium, the capital of England, London, will also have a very urgent working day. The fact that Mr. Boris Johnson sent two letters related to the Brexit extension does not mean that the agreement between the UK and the EU has been reached is dead. Mr. Boris Johnson still hopes that this agreement will still be put to a vote - expected to be in the "Super Tuesday" session tomorrow. However, whether this vote can take place or not will depend on the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, who said he would consider the situations and make a decision today.

British House of Commons Speaker John Bercow (left) speaks at a session of the House of Commons in London on September 9, 2019. Photo: AFP/VNA

At this point, it is difficult to predict what Mr Bercow will do, who has said he will not agree to another vote on the same deal – suggesting that the new Brexit deal is no different from what former Prime Minister Theresa May negotiated with the EU. But even if such a vote were to take place, the odds of the deal passing are slim, especially after the Conservatives expelled 21 “rebel” MPs after a dramatic vote earlier in September.

The anger of the British people shows that they are really tired of what has been going on for more than 3 years.

While there is no clear scenario for either the UK or the EU, hundreds of thousands of British people have taken to the streets to express their pent-up anger. They are angry with the Prime Minister, they are angry with the government and they are angry with the Parliament - who only know how to veto and veto but cannot come up with a viable alternative. Therefore, the British people are calling for the final decision on the Brexit story through a second referendum. Of course, the possibility of a second referendum is still unclear, but the anger of the British people shows that they are really tired of what has been going on for more than 3 years. What they need most now is a clear answer, to end the "long drama" that the UK has been performing for the whole world to see all this time.

Hundreds of thousands of British people gathered in front of the Houses of Parliament. Photo: The Guardian