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-49612757

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Brexit: Can a no-deal still happen? Brexit: Can a no-deal still happen?
(about 16 hours later)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said the UK will leave the European Union (EU) on 31 October "deal or no deal". Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said the UK will leave the European Union (EU) on 31 October "deal or no deal". But Chancellor Sajid Javid has now conceded that the deadline "can't be met".
However, Mr Johnson has now offered MPs more time to study his Brexit deal in exchange for agreeing to an early general election on 12 December. While opposition parties decide in which circumstances they could support Mr Johnson's request for a December general election, the fate of the Brexit deadline currently lies with European leaders.
But under what circumstances could a no-deal Brexit still happen at the end of this month? As things stand, it is still just about possible for the UK to leave the EU without a deal at the end of the month.
EU leaders reject an extension Can EU leaders reject an extension?
Mr Johnson sent a letter to Brussels on 19 October, requesting a three-month Brexit delay. He was required to do so by a law - known as the Benn Act - after MPs had failed to approve his revised Brexit deal before that date. Now that EU ambassadors have agreed that there should be an extension, this route to a no-deal is extremely unlikely.
For this extension of the 31 October deadline to go ahead, leaders of the other 27 EU countries have to agree unanimously. But for an extension to the Halloween deadline to go ahead, leaders of the other 27 EU countries have to agree unanimously. Until the change is formalised, the legal "exit date" remains at 31 October.
French President Emmanuel Macron, for example, has publicly questioned the extension - and without his support, it could not happen. MPs reject an EU proposal
EU leaders are expected to formally announce whether they approve on Friday. Now that the EU has agreed to an extension, it could still offer the UK a leaving date other than 31 January. In that instance, MPs would have up to two days in which they could vote to reject the proposal. If they don't vote, the proposal is automatically agreed to.
A refusal would be the quickest route to a no-deal Brexit - because the exit deadline would stay at 31 October, leaving very little time for the government to implement its deal. The EU may not announce the length of the extension until Tuesday, meaning any vote by MPs could theoretically happen on 31 October itself.
If the proposal was rejected, the extension would be off and a no-deal Brexit would happen next Thursday.
MPs would be unlikely to reject a proposal, however, for two reasons:
Extension agreed but UK fails to pass a dealExtension agreed but UK fails to pass a deal
If EU leaders agree to an extension, it does not take a no-deal Brexit off the table. Instead, it just pushes the possibility further into the future. Even with an extension agreed and put in place before the end of the month, a no-deal Brexit is not "off the table". Instead, it just pushes the possibility further into the future.
Regardless of the length of the extension, the prime minister would probably still try to push his deal through Parliament.Regardless of the length of the extension, the prime minister would probably still try to push his deal through Parliament.
However, if the government is unable to implement his deal (or another) before the new deadline, the UK would leave without a deal.However, if the government is unable to implement his deal (or another) before the new deadline, the UK would leave without a deal.
MPs reject alternative delay
Although the letter from Mr Johnson asks for an extension of the deadline to 31 January 2020, EU leaders could propose a different date.
And according to the Benn Act, passed by Parliament in September, the prime minister would have to accept the proposed date - unless MPs voted against it within two days.
They would be unlikely to do so, however, for two reasons:
Ministers refuse to change the deadlineMinisters refuse to change the deadline
This is the most controversial and unlikely scenario.This is the most controversial and unlikely scenario.
If an extension were agreed, a minister would be required to change the deadline in law using something called a statutory instrument (the power to change the law without a vote of MPs).If an extension were agreed, a minister would be required to change the deadline in law using something called a statutory instrument (the power to change the law without a vote of MPs).
And, theoretically, they could simply refuse to do this.And, theoretically, they could simply refuse to do this.
But not only would this be unlawful, it could be argued the "exit date" would be automatically changed anyway, because international law trumps domestic law.But not only would this be unlawful, it could be argued the "exit date" would be automatically changed anyway, because international law trumps domestic law.
Brexit explainedBrexit explained
Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU. A public vote was held in June 2016 to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU. A public vote was held in June 2016 to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.
More news explainersMore news explainers