This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48519746

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Can no-deal Brexit be stopped? Can no-deal Brexit be stopped?
(about 16 hours later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK will leave the EU on 31 October "do or die" - even if it means walking away without a deal.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK will leave the EU on 31 October "do or die" - even if it means walking away without a deal.
Many people oppose a no-deal Brexit, with MPs planning action in Parliament and others taking to the courts. But can no deal be stopped now that the government has decided to suspend Parliament?Many people oppose a no-deal Brexit, with MPs planning action in Parliament and others taking to the courts. But can no deal be stopped now that the government has decided to suspend Parliament?
How could the PM make no deal happen?How could the PM make no deal happen?
A no-deal Brexit means the UK would immediately leave the EU with no agreement in place about the "divorce" process - or how they separate.A no-deal Brexit means the UK would immediately leave the EU with no agreement in place about the "divorce" process - or how they separate.
There are three ways to avoid this happening on 31 October: MPs could pass a deal, postpone the date of exit, or cancel Brexit altogether.There are three ways to avoid this happening on 31 October: MPs could pass a deal, postpone the date of exit, or cancel Brexit altogether.
But unless a new plan is agreed, Mr Johnson does not need to do anything for a no-deal Brexit to happen.But unless a new plan is agreed, Mr Johnson does not need to do anything for a no-deal Brexit to happen.
This is because the UK's departure on 31 October is already written into law. He could just run the clock down.This is because the UK's departure on 31 October is already written into law. He could just run the clock down.
However, it's not as simple as that.However, it's not as simple as that.
Most MPs in the UK Parliament are against leaving without a deal. And they could try to stop it from happening.Most MPs in the UK Parliament are against leaving without a deal. And they could try to stop it from happening.
What can MPs do to stop no deal?What can MPs do to stop no deal?
Despite having little time, MPs still have options for trying to block a no-deal Brexit.Despite having little time, MPs still have options for trying to block a no-deal Brexit.
Passing a new law that would force the PM to request an extension has emerged as the preferred course of action.Passing a new law that would force the PM to request an extension has emerged as the preferred course of action.
What happens in Parliament is usually up to the government, so MPs would have to find a way to wrest control of the timetable. What happens in Parliament is usually up to the government, so MPs have to find a way to wrest control of the timetable.
Emergency debateEmergency debate
You might hear about an "SO24" this week. This refers to Standing Order 24, the rule that allows MPs to ask for an emergency debate. Expect to hear about an "SO24" this week. This refers to Standing Order 24, the rule that allows MPs to ask for an emergency debate.
These debates usually have no power to force action. But they could be given more teeth if House of Commons Speaker John Bercow allows amendments.These debates usually have no power to force action. But they could be given more teeth if House of Commons Speaker John Bercow allows amendments.
MPs could use one to take control of the timetable for a day, to allow time to pass a law to force Mr Johnson into action. On Tuesday, a cross-party group of MPs is expected to use SO24 to put forward legislation. They want Brexit to be delayed until 31 January, unless MPs had approved a new deal, or voted in favour of a no-deal exit, by 19 October.
Theoretically, there is enough time for this.
It would usually take weeks for legislation to pass through both Houses of Parliament. But in April Yvette Cooper took three days to rush through a piece of legislation to force an extension.It would usually take weeks for legislation to pass through both Houses of Parliament. But in April Yvette Cooper took three days to rush through a piece of legislation to force an extension.
With as few as four sitting days before parliament is prorogued, time will be tight to hold the emergency debateand pass a new law. With as few as four sitting days before parliament is shut down (or prorogued), time will be tight to hold the emergency debate and pass a new law.
Tory rebels have been warned they face expulsion from the party and deselection if they support the cross-party legislation. But a number have said they will do so, or are not standing at the next election anyway.
One hurdle could come in the House of Lords. Although opponents to no deal have a large majority, peers wanting to block a piece of legislation could talk and talk until there is no time left.One hurdle could come in the House of Lords. Although opponents to no deal have a large majority, peers wanting to block a piece of legislation could talk and talk until there is no time left.
Vote of no confidenceVote of no confidence
Seen by some as the "nuclear option", MPs have the option to vote out the government.Seen by some as the "nuclear option", MPs have the option to vote out the government.
If a majority of MPs vote against the government, a formal process kicks off under the Fixed Term Parliament Act:If a majority of MPs vote against the government, a formal process kicks off under the Fixed Term Parliament Act:
If this were to happen before Parliament is suspended, MPs would have much fewer than 14 days to try and form an alternative government. Once Parliament is prorogued, time would be up and we would slide towards a general election.If this were to happen before Parliament is suspended, MPs would have much fewer than 14 days to try and form an alternative government. Once Parliament is prorogued, time would be up and we would slide towards a general election.
Pass a deal!Pass a deal!
It is still possible for MPs to approve a deal before exit day. This is the course of action ministers say they prefer.It is still possible for MPs to approve a deal before exit day. This is the course of action ministers say they prefer.
The PM could return from the EU summit in mid-October with a brand new deal, propose it to MPs and get it passed in time for the 31 October deadline.The PM could return from the EU summit in mid-October with a brand new deal, propose it to MPs and get it passed in time for the 31 October deadline.
But the main hurdle here - aside from persuading a majority of MPs to back him - would be whether he has enough time to pass the legislation that is needed to implement the deal.But the main hurdle here - aside from persuading a majority of MPs to back him - would be whether he has enough time to pass the legislation that is needed to implement the deal.
Use the courtsUse the courts
It isn't just Parliament which could get in the way of the PM's prorogation plans - a number of legal challenges are making their way through the courts.It isn't just Parliament which could get in the way of the PM's prorogation plans - a number of legal challenges are making their way through the courts.
In Scotland, a judge has refused to order a temporary halt to plans to shut the UK Parliament. But a full hearing of the case will be heard on Tuesday 3 September. In Scotland, a judge has refused to order a temporary halt to plans to shut the UK Parliament. But a further hearing of the case is to be held on Tuesday.
The action is being taken by a cross-party group of 75 politicians, who want the court to rule that prorogation would be illegal and unconstitutional.The action is being taken by a cross-party group of 75 politicians, who want the court to rule that prorogation would be illegal and unconstitutional.
Cases are also being started in Belfast and London, both seeking injunctions to block the closure of Parliament.Cases are also being started in Belfast and London, both seeking injunctions to block the closure of Parliament.
Northern Irish campaigner Raymond McCord is waiting to hear the result of his challenge.Northern Irish campaigner Raymond McCord is waiting to hear the result of his challenge.
And Sir John Major is joining forces with campaigner Gina Miller. The former Conservative prime minister believes Parliament is being closed to prevent MPs from opposing a no-deal Brexit.And Sir John Major is joining forces with campaigner Gina Miller. The former Conservative prime minister believes Parliament is being closed to prevent MPs from opposing a no-deal Brexit.
If any injunction to block prorogation is granted, the government would immediately appeal and the cases could end up in the Supreme Court.If any injunction to block prorogation is granted, the government would immediately appeal and the cases could end up in the Supreme Court.