Video
Boris Johnson threatens to pull his Brexit deal if MPs won’t back his plans
Boris Johnson in the House of Commons. Photograph: Parliament TV. - Credit: Archant
Boris Johnson has threatened to pull his Brexit deal and call for an early general election if MPs try to push for extra weeks to scrutinise it.
Two crucial votes will determine whether the prime minister will be able to live up to his "do or die" commitment to take the UK out of the European Union by the October 31 deadline.
MPs will first cast their initial vote signalling general approval of his Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB). They will then vote on his accelerated timetable to hurry it through parliament.
But the PM told the Commons that he would "in no way allow months more of this" as he called on MPs to work "night and day" to scrutinise his plans and avoid a no-deal departure.
MPs and commentators have already objected to the "ridiculous" time frame in which the momentous legislation is expected to be scrutinised.
MORE: MPs accuse government of rushing through landmark Brexit billJohnson continued: "If parliament refuses to allow Brexit to happen and instead ... decides to delay everything until January or possibly longer in no circumstances can the government continue with this," he said.
You may also want to watch:
"And with great regret I must say that the bill will have to be pulled and we will have to go forward to a general election."
The threat was dismissed as "childish blackmail" by Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake.
Most Read
- 1 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 2 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 3 Minister terminates interview after suggesting public's age and weight to blame for UK's high death toll
- 4 This picture of Boris Johnson on the phone to Joe Biden has caused a stir
- 5 Telegraph columnist blames Angela Merkel for Brexit
- 6 Boris Johnson to visit Scotland this week in attempt to shore up the union
- 7 Brexiteer calls for UK to save Eurostar - by buying it and renaming it 'Britstar'
- 8 Petition launched to cancel 'festival of Brexit' event in 2022
- 9 Brussels to launch campaign teaching younger Britons about the EU
- 10 Piers Morgan defends interview with Thérèse Coffey after accusations of 'bullying'
"MPs shouldn't be bullied into voting in favour of this ridiculously short timetable," he added.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
