This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson put forward his “final” offer on a Brexit deal. The proposal offers an alternative to the controversial backstop, which would see Northern Ireland completely out of the customs union but remaining within the single market, and a consent vote from the Northern Ireland Assembly.
However, while the Prime Minister said he believes his proposal represents a “compromise” on behalf of the Government, it’s not looking like the EU agree.
And if a deal isn’t signed off by both the EU and MPs at home by October 19, the law states Mr Johnson must request an extension from the EU, delaying the date until at least the end of January 2020.
Mr Johnson has not minced words when it comes to his thoughts on this, saying: “I’d rather be dead in a ditch than ask for another delay.”Speaking at the party conference this week, Mr Johnson added: “If we fail to get an agreement…then let us be in no doubt that the alternative is no deal.
Boris Johnson Brexit plot: Boris Johnson has put forward his “final” offer on a Brexit deal
Boris Johnson Brexit plot: Nigel Farage revealed one potential way out
“That is not an outcome we want. It is not an outcome we seek at all.
“But let me tell you this conference it is an outcome for which we are ready.”
But how can he achieve this with the Benn Bill in place forcing an extension, and the Government’s promise to obey the law?
Speaking on LBC on Friday morning, ardent Brexiteer and leader of the Brexit Party Nigel Farage revealed one potential way out.
Boris Johnson Brexit plot: All 27 EU member states must agree on an extension
He said: “If you’re a Remainer, here’s your fear: Boris goes [to the EU to request an extension] on the 17th October, gets one or more of the EU countries to veto extension.
“Then Boris comes back to the House of Commons and says, ‘it’s Mrs May’s treaty with a couple of tweaks or we leave with no deal’.”
“I think if Boris did that, it would have catastrophic consequences for the Conservative party in terms of division, but there would be a form of Brexit. Not a very good one, but a form of Brexit.”
So, essentially, if Mr Johnson could convince an EU member to veto the extension request, he’d be free of his duties under the Benn Bill and no deal would become inevitable.
EU rules dictate every single EU leader must agree to a request such as an article extension, meaning even one veto would collapse the request.
But would anyone in the EU actually be willing to do this?
It’s thought incredibly unlikely for one EU member state to vote against the rest when some – such as Ireland – have so much at stake.
The EU will want to avoid no deal and will, as an institution, be deeply reluctant to close the door on the possibility of a deal.
As it stands, the current offer doesn’t seem to be the cause of much celebration in Brussels.
Boris Johnson Brexit plot: What the month ahead may hold
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Thursday the proposals “fall short in a number of aspects”.
European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted he “stands behind Ireland” and remains “open” to discussions with Mr Johnson but remains “unconvinced” by the newest offers.
European parliament’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, called the plans “unworkable”.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Verhofstadt said the plan represented “a repackaging of old ideas”.
Earlier, the European parliament’s Brexit committee said the plan didn’t match “even remotely” what had already been agreed.
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