DO OR DON'T
Brexit: Britain won’t leave EU on October 31 as EU agree on third extension
BRITAIN won't leave the EU on October 31, it was officially confirmed today.
EU ambassadors agreed to give Britain the green light for a third Brexit extension today, but have yet to say how long it will be.
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It comes just hours after Chancellor Sajid Javid confirmed the news too, meaning the PM will break his promise to take us out of the EU by Halloween.
Boris repeatedly vowed he would take us out with or without a deal on October 31 "do or die".
However, MPs effectively killed off any chance of an exit at the end of the month by voting down the PM's timetable for his Brexit bill earlier this week.
Boris wanted to fast-track it in just three days, but MPs claimed they needed more time to look at the new law, even though they've been debating Brexit for three years.
The Chancellor told the BBC this morning: "We now have to accept that we won't be able to leave on October 31 because Parliament has requested an extension.
"We have to assume they will offer a three month extension."
And he vowed that the Government would keep bringing forward election votes until Mr Corbyn gives in and backs one.
But the PM today refused to admit it, telling Sky: "I can’t say that now, we are waiting for our EU friends and partners to say what they want to do. It's in their power to decide whether or not to have an extension.
"We should be leaving on October 31."
An EU source said that while all capitals agreed a delay would be given, there was no consensus yet over how long it should be.
It comes as:
- Boris Johnson is today chasing Jeremy Corbyn for a snap election, after he's pushed through his Brexit Bill
- Boris vowed to hold DAILY election votes until the leftie Labour boss gives in
- But the leftie boss gave Boris a long list of demands before he would give in
- Jean Claude Juncker blasted Boris for "spreading lies" during the referendum campaign
- Follow all the live action with our blog here
Best for Britain's Naomi Smith said today: "What’s crucial to remember is that Boris has failed to meet his ‘do or die’ pledge to leave on October 31.
"It’s clear that he can’t solve this issue within Parliament."
This morning Mr Corbyn said the PM must come back to the Commons to insist that Britain will not leave the EU after the transition period without a deal.
Rebel Tories had been pushing for an amendment to the Brexit Bill earlier this week along similar lines.
The leftie boss didn't address why he wouldn't back an election now - even though he could reverse any Brexit decisions if he gets into power.
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Senior EU sources said that if MPs refuse to agree to an election they could yet be handed a very short extension of just a few weeks.
Emmanuel Macron is "not backing down" over blocking a three month delay - and is appealing to other leaders dismayed by the "volatile" situation in the UK.
Member States had looked likely to rubber stamp the January 31 exit date asked for in the Benn Act at a meeting of EU ambassadors yesterday.
But the decision by Labour not to back Mr Johnson's call for an election altered the situation and fuelled calls to postpone the announcement.
Paris has argued strongly that if a three-month extension is granted there is a risk MPs will just waste the time, prolonging the uncertainty to no end.
Jeremy Corbyn denies he's frightened of fighting a general election against Boris Johnson but a No Deal Brexit needs to be ruled out
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