Brexit and the UK Constitution
- Boris Johnson’s prorogation of parliament is lawful, high court rules. The Guardian has more.
- Boris Johnson suffered the first defeat of his premiership this week as MPs voted to seize control of the Commons timetable to block a no-deal Brexit. Meanwhile, a total 21 Tory rebels have been effectively kicked out of the party after they voted with opposition parties to block a no-deal Brexit.
Post- Brexit deal with the EU
- Boris Johnson has admitted there is a “high chance” of a no-deal Brexit – despite previously claiming it was a “million-to-one” shot. He said he would rather be dead in a ditch than ask the EU for a Brexit extension. Meanwhile, Michel Barnier has warned diplomats that Brexit negotiations between the UK and EU are in “a state of paralysis”.
- Labour has stated that they will reject Boris Johnson’s latest attempt to stage a general election on 15 October.
- Jo Johnson, announced he was quitting the cabinet, citing an “unresolvable tension” between his family loyalty and the national interest.
- Sajid Javid will pledge to hand Whitehall departments an extra £2 billion to cover the costs of Brexit when he sets out his spending plans.
Impact of Brexit on the economy
- The Sterling has tumbled by almost a cent against the US dollar and falls by about 0.7% on the euro on back of general election speculation.
- An abrupt departure from the EU would bring significant disruption to life in the UK, with a “highly probable” recession, a group of leading academics concluded on Wednesday in their version of the government’s secret Yellowhammer report on no-deal preparation.