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 The true cost of Brexit is becoming clearer
- 2 Why have Remainers gone so quiet?
- 3 Did Euros fever contribute to result of EU referendum?
- 4 Boris Johnson's awkward moment with the Queen
- 5 Be careful what you wish for... voting reform could kill Labour
- 6 Dominic Cummings explains why Boris Johnson didn't do Andrew Neil interview
- 7 MATT FREI: Brexit posed a question... and we haven't even begun to answer it
- 8 How the Kominsky Method grapples with growing old
- 9 PMQs: Ian Blackford drops truth bomb over post-Brexit trade deal with Australia
- 10 Michael O'Leary: My hope for the future over Brexit
"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.
