in

Boris Johnson returns to UK to face Parliament after Supreme Court ruling: Live updates – CNN International, CNN

Boris Johnson returns to UK to face Parliament after Supreme Court ruling: Live updates – CNN International, CNN


DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images
DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP / Getty Images

The British Parliament has provided the backdrop to some extraordinary political drama in recent months, but as much as lawmakers enjoy the sound of their own voices, it doesn’t necessarily follow that everything they say matters

It makes great television, and those of us swept up in reporting it are guilty of dedicating too much time to it, but the simple fact is that only one date really matters in Brexit right now.

Or rather, all that matters is * how * we get to that date.

On October 17 and 18, EU leaders will meet at the EU Council Summit in Brussels. If the UK government requests an extension to the Brexit deadline, it is here that any such delay will be declined or approved.

In that time, Boris Johnson could stand down as PM and dare an alternative government to form and request that extension; the opposition could try to bring down Johnson’s government then appeal to the courts to demand that he – or someone on his behalf – requests that extension. We could see an election called. We could see Johnson try to prorogue parliament again.

But all that really matters is whether, by the time we get to that date, October 17, an extension has been requested.

If it has, then – despite certain EU member states suggesting that they are opposed to any further confusion – the consensus is that it will be approved.

At that point, Boris Johnson can kick off his people-versus-Parliament campaign.

If an extension isn’t requested – or is requested and declined – then the opposition will have to seriously up their activity.

There will be barely enough time to bring down the government, let alone set in motion the constitutional mechanisms to remove the PM from office. At that point, they will most likely have to turn to the courts to force the Prime Minister to request an extension.

Either way, October 17 is the date to keep your eyes on. Between now and then, there is going to be a lot of noise. After that point, all hell will break loose.

Brave Browser

Read MorePayeer

What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings

Brad Pitt has been 'dating' jewelry designer and spiritual guru Sat Hari Khalsa – Daily Mail, Daily Mail

Brad Pitt has been 'dating' jewelry designer and spiritual guru Sat Hari Khalsa – Daily Mail, Daily Mail

The stats that show Tottenham are slipping as they continue to struggle away from home – Daily Mail, Daily Mail

The stats that show Tottenham are slipping as they continue to struggle away from home – Daily Mail, Daily Mail