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Brexit: MPs debating bill to block no-deal Brexit: MPs debating bill to block no-deal
(32 minutes later)
MPs are debating a bill that could block a no-deal Brexit - and trigger the PM to seek a general election.MPs are debating a bill that could block a no-deal Brexit - and trigger the PM to seek a general election.
Opposition MPs and Tory rebels won a vote on Tuesday to let them to take over Parliament and propose their bill.Opposition MPs and Tory rebels won a vote on Tuesday to let them to take over Parliament and propose their bill.
If approved, it would mean Boris Johnson would have to seek an extension to 31 October Brexit deadline if a deal had not been agreed with the EU.If approved, it would mean Boris Johnson would have to seek an extension to 31 October Brexit deadline if a deal had not been agreed with the EU.
But the PM warned he would push for an immediate vote on an early general election as a result.But the PM warned he would push for an immediate vote on an early general election as a result.
Leading the debate, Labour MP and chair of the Brexit Select Committee, Hilary Benn, said: "The bill has wide cross-party support and is backed by members who have very different views on how the matter of Brexit should be concluded.
"What unites us is a conviction that there is no mandate for no deal and the consequences for the economy and the country would be highly damaging."
During his first Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson challenged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to put his policy of "dither and delay" over EU withdrawal to the British people on 15 October in an election.During his first Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson challenged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to put his policy of "dither and delay" over EU withdrawal to the British people on 15 October in an election.
But Mr Corbyn said the PM was "running down the clock" on a no-deal Brexit and "hiding the facts" about the likelihood of food and medicine shortages.But Mr Corbyn said the PM was "running down the clock" on a no-deal Brexit and "hiding the facts" about the likelihood of food and medicine shortages.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has also told Labour MPs the leadership would not back an election until a Brexit delay had been agreed with the EU. The Liberal Democrats have also said they will vote against an early election at this stage.Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer has also told Labour MPs the leadership would not back an election until a Brexit delay had been agreed with the EU. The Liberal Democrats have also said they will vote against an early election at this stage.
MPs backing the bill are trying to push it through as quickly as possible so it becomes law before the government suspends Parliament next week.MPs backing the bill are trying to push it through as quickly as possible so it becomes law before the government suspends Parliament next week.
As a result:As a result:
What does the no-deal bill say?What does the no-deal bill say?
The bill says the prime minister will have until 19 October to either pass a deal in Parliament or get MPs to approve a no-deal Brexit.The bill says the prime minister will have until 19 October to either pass a deal in Parliament or get MPs to approve a no-deal Brexit.
Once this deadline has passed, he will have to request an extension to the UK's departure date to 31 January 2020 - and, unusually, the bill actually includes the wording of the letter he would have to write.Once this deadline has passed, he will have to request an extension to the UK's departure date to 31 January 2020 - and, unusually, the bill actually includes the wording of the letter he would have to write.
If the EU responds by proposing a different date, the PM will have two days to accept that proposal. During that time, MPs - not the government - will have the opportunity to reject the EU's date.If the EU responds by proposing a different date, the PM will have two days to accept that proposal. During that time, MPs - not the government - will have the opportunity to reject the EU's date.
The bill also requires ministers to report to the House of Commons over the next few months. potentially providing more opportunities to take control of the timetable.The bill also requires ministers to report to the House of Commons over the next few months. potentially providing more opportunities to take control of the timetable.
Be aware though, this could all change over the next few days because MPs and peers have the power to pass amendments to any law.Be aware though, this could all change over the next few days because MPs and peers have the power to pass amendments to any law.
But Mr Johnson said he would use the Fixed Term Parliaments Act to call for an early general election on 15 October - before the EU summit and the proposed law's imposed deadline - if the bill got through the second vote on Wednesday night.But Mr Johnson said he would use the Fixed Term Parliaments Act to call for an early general election on 15 October - before the EU summit and the proposed law's imposed deadline - if the bill got through the second vote on Wednesday night.
That means a debate and vote on his motion could take place as soon as MPs have finished voting on the bill.That means a debate and vote on his motion could take place as soon as MPs have finished voting on the bill.
Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, a prime minister must have the backing of at least two-thirds of the UK's 650 MPs before a poll can be called outside of the fixed five-year terms.Under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, a prime minister must have the backing of at least two-thirds of the UK's 650 MPs before a poll can be called outside of the fixed five-year terms.
The government lost its majority on Tuesday when one of its MPs - Dr Phillip Lee - quit the Conservatives to join the Liberal Democrats.The government lost its majority on Tuesday when one of its MPs - Dr Phillip Lee - quit the Conservatives to join the Liberal Democrats.
It dropped further after No 10's decision to remove the party whip from the 21 Tory MPs who voted in favour of taking over Parliament.It dropped further after No 10's decision to remove the party whip from the 21 Tory MPs who voted in favour of taking over Parliament.
One of those booted out of the party, Margot James, has publicly questioned the role played by Dominic Cummings, the PM's senior aide, in the decision.One of those booted out of the party, Margot James, has publicly questioned the role played by Dominic Cummings, the PM's senior aide, in the decision.
Raising the issue at PMQs, she urged Mr Johnson to bear in mind his predecessor Margaret Thatcher's famous adage that "advisers advise and ministers decide".Raising the issue at PMQs, she urged Mr Johnson to bear in mind his predecessor Margaret Thatcher's famous adage that "advisers advise and ministers decide".