Boris Johnson faces frenzied week as Brexit deadline nears
A woman wears the colors and stars of the EU flag as she and other anti-Brexit supporters march in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In their first weekend session in 37 years, British lawmakers in Parliament debated whether to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed new divorce deal with the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, to go to the Houses of Parliament in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
In this image issued by 10 Downing Street, showing of an unsigned letter written by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed to the European Council President Donald Tusk asking the European Union for a delay to Brexit Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. (Downing Street via AP)
Britain’s opposition Liberal Democrat party leader Jo Swinson speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons parliament in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Stephen Pike/House of Commons via AP)
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to lawmakers inside the House of Commons to update details of his new Brexit deal with EU, in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At a rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Stephen Barclay, left, and Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, right. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
In this image issued by 10 Downing Street, showing of a letter written by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed to the European Council President Donald Tusk asking the European Union for a delay to Brexit Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. The British government has formally asked the European Union for a delay to Brexit — but also sent a letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson arguing against it. Johnson was forced to request a delay after Parliament voted to delay a decision on whether to back his Brexit deal. A law passed last month compelled the government to try to postpone Britain’s departure if no deal was agreed by Saturday. (Downing Street via AP)
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, England, on Saturday Oct. 19, 2019, after the Letwin amendment, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31, was accepted by the House, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons over his new Brexit deal. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Whippets wear clothing with the EU flag during anti-Brexit protests in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner acknowledge supporters at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, England, on Saturday Oct. 19, 2019, after the Letwin amendment, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31, was accepted by the House, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons over his new Brexit deal. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Anti-Brexit remain in the European Union supporters take part in a “People’s Vote” protest march calling for another referendum on Britain’s EU membership, in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Lawmaker of SNP (Scottish National Party) Joanna Cherry speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons parliament in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Stephen Pike/House of Commons via AP)
Anti-Brexit demonstrators carry placards and EU flags in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In their first weekend session in 37 years, British lawmakers in Parliament debated whether to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed new divorce deal with the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union lawmaker Stephen Barclay speaks during the Brexit debate, watched by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, inside the House of Commons in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Police officers watch as anti-Brexit protestors carry effigies of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, and his top advisor Dominic Cummings, left, during a march in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, U.K. 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. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti)
A woman wears the colors and stars of the EU flag as she and other anti-Brexit supporters march in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In their first weekend session in 37 years, British lawmakers in Parliament debated whether to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed new divorce deal with the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
A woman wears the colors and stars of the EU flag as she and other anti-Brexit supporters march in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In their first weekend session in 37 years, British lawmakers in Parliament debated whether to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed new divorce deal with the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, to go to the Houses of Parliament in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street, to go to the Houses of Parliament in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
In this image issued by 10 Downing Street, showing of an unsigned letter written by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed to the European Council President Donald Tusk asking the European Union for a delay to Brexit Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. (Downing Street via AP)
In this image issued by 10 Downing Street, showing of an unsigned letter written by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed to the European Council President Donald Tusk asking the European Union for a delay to Brexit Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. (Downing Street via AP)
Britain’s opposition Liberal Democrat party leader Jo Swinson speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons parliament in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Stephen Pike/House of Commons via AP)
Britain’s opposition Liberal Democrat party leader Jo Swinson speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons parliament in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Stephen Pike/House of Commons via AP)
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to lawmakers inside the House of Commons to update details of his new Brexit deal with EU, in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At a rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Stephen Barclay, left, and Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, right. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to lawmakers inside the House of Commons to update details of his new Brexit deal with EU, in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At a rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, Stephen Barclay, left, and Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, right. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
In this image issued by 10 Downing Street, showing of a letter written by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed to the European Council President Donald Tusk asking the European Union for a delay to Brexit Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. The British government has formally asked the European Union for a delay to Brexit — but also sent a letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson arguing against it. Johnson was forced to request a delay after Parliament voted to delay a decision on whether to back his Brexit deal. A law passed last month compelled the government to try to postpone Britain’s departure if no deal was agreed by Saturday. (Downing Street via AP)
In this image issued by 10 Downing Street, showing of a letter written by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed to the European Council President Donald Tusk asking the European Union for a delay to Brexit Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. The British government has formally asked the European Union for a delay to Brexit — but also sent a letter from Prime Minister Boris Johnson arguing against it. Johnson was forced to request a delay after Parliament voted to delay a decision on whether to back his Brexit deal. A law passed last month compelled the government to try to postpone Britain’s departure if no deal was agreed by Saturday. (Downing Street via AP)
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, England, on Saturday Oct. 19, 2019, after the Letwin amendment, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31, was accepted by the House, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons over his new Brexit deal. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn delivers a speech at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, England, on Saturday Oct. 19, 2019, after the Letwin amendment, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31, was accepted by the House, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons over his new Brexit deal. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Whippets wear clothing with the EU flag during anti-Brexit protests in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Whippets wear clothing with the EU flag during anti-Brexit protests in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner acknowledge supporters at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, England, on Saturday Oct. 19, 2019, after the Letwin amendment, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31, was accepted by the House, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons over his new Brexit deal. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow education secretary Angela Rayner acknowledge supporters at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool, England, on Saturday Oct. 19, 2019, after the Letwin amendment, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31, was accepted by the House, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement in the House of Commons over his new Brexit deal. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Anti-Brexit remain in the European Union supporters take part in a “People’s Vote” protest march calling for another referendum on Britain’s EU membership, in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Anti-Brexit remain in the European Union supporters take part in a “People’s Vote” protest march calling for another referendum on Britain’s EU membership, in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Britain’s Parliament is set to vote in a rare Saturday sitting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new deal with the European Union, a decisive moment in the prolonged bid to end the Brexit stalemate. Various scenarios may be put in motion by the vote. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Lawmaker of SNP (Scottish National Party) Joanna Cherry speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons parliament in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Stephen Pike/House of Commons via AP)
Lawmaker of SNP (Scottish National Party) Joanna Cherry speaks during the Brexit debate inside the House of Commons parliament in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Stephen Pike/House of Commons via AP)
Anti-Brexit demonstrators carry placards and EU flags in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In their first weekend session in 37 years, British lawmakers in Parliament debated whether to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed new divorce deal with the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Anti-Brexit demonstrators carry placards and EU flags in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In their first weekend session in 37 years, British lawmakers in Parliament debated whether to accept Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed new divorce deal with the European Union. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union lawmaker Stephen Barclay speaks during the Brexit debate, watched by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, inside the House of Commons in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union lawmaker Stephen Barclay speaks during the Brexit debate, watched by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, inside the House of Commons in London Saturday Oct. 19, 2019. At the rare weekend sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Boris Johnson implored legislators to ratify the Brexit deal he struck this week with the other 27 EU leaders. Lawmakers voted Saturday in favour of the ‘Letwin Amendment’, which seeks to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31. (Jessica Taylor/House of Commons via AP)
Police officers watch as anti-Brexit protestors carry effigies of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, and his top advisor Dominic Cummings, left, during a march in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, U.K. 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. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti)
Police officers watch as anti-Brexit protestors carry effigies of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, and his top advisor Dominic Cummings, left, during a march in London, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. In a major blow to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, U.K. 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. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti)
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a frenzied week of activity in Parliament, and possibly in the courts, as he tries to woo rebellious lawmakers in time to meet the Oct. 31 Brexit deadline.
Johnson has vowed to avoid needing yet another extension to that deadline, even though he has formally asked — in distinctly unenthused tones — for a delay that is being considered by European Union leaders.
EU officials haven’t yet responded to his request for more time. They are torn between a wish to finally put the Brexit issue to bed and a devout desire to avoid the economic ramification of Britain leaving without a divorce deal in place.
Johnson on Sunday used surrogates to make the case that he likely has the votes needed to gain passage for his new Brexit plan and won’t need any delay.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC he believes Johnson has enough support to get his deal through Parliament, but added the government would keep talking with its Northern Ireland ally, the Democratic Unionist Party, to persuade it to back the deal.
So far, the party, which holds 10 seats in Parliament, has refused to support Johnson’s agreement because it treats Northern Ireland differently than other parts of the U.K.
“We’ll keep talking to the DUP and see if there’s any further reassurances that can be provided,” Raab said.
The DUP votes might well give Johnson a comfortable margin, but it seems steadfast in its opposition to the plan, which replaces an earlier divorce deal negotiated by Theresa May’s government but rejected three times by Parliament.
Monday will also feature more legal action, more arm-twisting, cajoling and veiled threats by Johnson and his ministers and more amendments designed by lawmakers to stymie Johnson’s plan to have Britain leave the 28-nation bloc on Oct. 31.
In the midst of all this, EU leaders and officials across the English Channel were pondering whether to grant the British leader a Brexit extension that he doesn’t even want.
As required by law, Johnson sent a letter to the EU late Saturday night seeking a delay to Britain’s impending Oct. 31 departure. He waited until the last possible moment, withheld his signature and immediately followed it with a signed letter indicating that he doesn’t actually favor another Brexit extension.
“My view, and the government’s position, (is) that a further extension would damage the interests of the U.K. and our EU partners, and the relationship between us,” Johnson wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk.
His decision to send a second letter saying he doesn’t really want an extension is likely to trigger court challenges from opponents who believe he intentionally set out to block Parliament’s intent even if he technically complied with legal requirements.
The Court of Session in Scotland is already considering the matter and it may end up being decided in the U.K. Supreme Court, which in September ruled that Johnson had acted unlawfully when he suspended Parliament for five weeks as the Brexit deadline crept closer.
Scottish National Party legislator Joanna Cherry, part of a group that brought the earlier successful case against Johnson, said the legal battle over Brexit continues.
“We’re back in court on Monday morning and it will be possible then to secure the court’s assistance if the prime minister has flouted the law and the promises he gave to the court,” she said.
The court action is aimed at keeping Johnson from taking Britain out of the EU without a deal.
Johnson has long declared that he plans to take the U.K. out of the EU on Oct. 31 with or without a divorce deal, and his minister in charge of Brexit again emphasized that stance.
“We are going to leave by Oct. 31st,” Michael Gove insisted Sunday. “We have the means and the ability to do so.”
Gove also said he was holding a special meeting to discuss Operation Yellowhammer, the government’s “no-deal” planning apparatus, to make sure Britain is ready for an Oct. 31 departure. The government’s own analysts have warned an abrupt break with the EU could lead to recession, massive delays at British ports, and shortages in food and prescription medicine.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said Tusk would consult with other leaders “in the next days” about Johnson’s request, but most signs indicate the EU would prefer an extension to an abrupt no-deal Brexit.
Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne, whose country holds the European Union’s rotating presidency, said Sunday “it makes sense to allow extra time.”
While Johnson’s Conservatives are focused on getting more votes, the opposition Labour Party was calling for a second referendum on the whole question of leaving the EU.
Labour’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said it is “inevitable” that lawmakers opposed to Brexit will put forward an amendment seeking a second referendum — something strongly opposed by Johnson and his government.
“Whether it’s this deal or any future deal, it’s got to go back so the public can say, ‘Do you want to leave on these terms?’” Starmer said. “If so, then we do. If not, we remain.”
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Samuel Petrequin in Brussels, and Jari Tanner in Helsinki, contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s full coverage of Brexit and British politics at https://www.apnews.com/Brexit
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A previous version of this story corrected the number of Conservative seats to 288, not 233.