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Saturday, October 19, 2019, 22:16
UK lawmakers vote to delay final Brexit decision again
By Agencies
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 22:16 By Agencies

A handout picture released by the UK Parliament shows Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson making a statement in the House of Commons in London on Oct 19, 2019. (JESSICA TAYLOR / AFP / UK PARLIAMENT)

LONDON - In a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, UK lawmakers voted Saturday to postpone a decision on whether to back his Brexit deal with the European Union, throwing a wrench into government plans to leave the bloc at the end of this month.

A defiant Johnson said after the vote that he was not "daunted or dismayed" by the result and would push ahead with plans to leave the EU

At a special session of Parliament intended to ratify the Brexit deal, lawmakers voted 322-306 to withhold their approval on the Brexit deal until legislation to implement it has been passed.

The vote aims to ensure that the UK can't crash out of the EU without a divorce deal on the scheduled Oct 31 departure date. But it means Johnson he has to ask the EU to delay Britain's departure, since Parliament previously passed a law compelling him to do that if a Brexit divorce deal had not been passed by Saturday.

The government still hopes it can pass the needed legislation by the end of the month so the UK can leave on time.

A defiant Johnson said after the vote that he was not "daunted or dismayed" by the result and would push ahead with plans to leave the EU.

An anti-Brexit protester and an EU flag are seen during protest in London, Oct 19, 2019.  (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP)

As lawmakers debated, tens of thousands of anti-Brexit demonstrators descended on London to march to Parliament Square, demanding a new referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU or remain. Protesters, many wearing blue berets emblazoned with yellow stars symbolizing the EU flag, poured out of subway trains and buses for the last-ditch protest effort.

I am incensed that we are not being listened to. Nearly all the polls show that now people want to remain in the EU. We feel that we are voiceless

 Hannah Barton, cider maker from central England

"I am incensed that we are not being listened to. Nearly all the polls show that now people want to remain in the EU. We feel that we are voiceless," said Hannah Barton, 56, a cider maker from central England, who was draped in an EU flag.

"This is a national disaster waiting to happen and it is going to destroy the economy."

Many protesters carried placards, some comparing Brexit to the election of US President Donald Trump. Some wore elaborate costumes with one group dressed as fruit and vegetables.

There were also papier mache models mocking politicians such as Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"I don't like the sort of place the country is becoming. We have become a more angry country than before the referendum,"

said Phil Canney, 33, a mechanical engineer.

ALSO READ: Yes or No? Vital vote on Brexit plan set for Saturday in UK

"If what Johnson is putting to parliament today was the argument in the referendum they would have lost by a landslide.

They have taken the result and run away with it to excuse anything they want to do."

After more than three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as Johnson tries to pass his new EU divorce deal and plots a way out of the deepest political crisis in a generation.

James McGrory, director of the People’s Vote campaign, which organized the march, said ahead of the protest that the government should heed the anger of pro-Europeans and hold another referendum on EU membership.

"This new deal bears no resemblance to what people were promised and so it is only right that the public deserve another chance to have their say," he said.

A large banner with a silhouette of Queen Elizabeth and text reading "LovEU" is erected in Hyde Park in London, Oct 19, 2019. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AP)

While Brexit has divided families, parties, parliament and the country, both sides agree Saturday could be one of the most important days in recent British history: a juncture that could shape the fate of the United Kingdom for generations.

Campaigners are confident that the number of people on the streets will rival a similar demonstration in March, when organizers said 1 million people took to the streets. A rally this size would be among the largest ever in Britain.

More than 170 coaches from around Britain were due to arrive in London taking people to the march. Nine coaches left Scotland on Friday and four left Cornwall on England’s western tip early on Saturday.   

BREXIT REVERSED?

In 2016, 17.4 million voters, or 52%, backed Brexit while 16.1 million, or 48%, backed staying in the EU.

Since July 2017 there have been 226 polls asking people whether they support Leave or Remain, according to a poll of polls by YouGov published last week. Of those, 204 have put support for remaining in the EU ahead, seven have given a lead to leave and a few have been tied

Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favor of remaining in the EU, but there has yet to be a decisive change in attitudes and many voters say they have become increasingly bored by Brexit.

Since July 2017 there have been 226 polls asking people whether they support Leave or Remain, according to a poll of polls by YouGov published last week. Of those, 204 have put support for remaining in the EU ahead, seven have given a lead to leave and a few have been tied.

However, other polls suggests most voters have not changed their mind: 50% of the public want to respect the referendum result, 42% want Britain to remain in the EU and 8% said they don't know, the largest Brexit poll since 2016 carried out by ComRes found.

READ MORE: Anti-Brexit marchers flood into London, demand new vote

Supporters of Brexit say holding another referendum would deepen divisions and undermine democracy.

A group of lawmakers in the main opposition Labour Party have put forward an amendment calling for approval of any deal to be put to a second referendum.

Anti-Brexit protesters march in London, Oct 19, 2019. (MATT DUNHAM / AP)

The challenge for pro-referendum forces is finding enough support in parliament. In April, when the government held a series of votes on various Brexit options, a second referendum was the most popular, but fell short of a majority losing 292 to 280.

Even if another referendum were agreed, it would take months to organize and there would be disputes about the question.


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