Oct 17, 2019 - World

Johnson reaches Brexit deal, but needs Parliament's approval

Dave Lawler

The man with the deal. Photo: WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this morning that he's reached a "great new" Brexit deal with the European Union — a statement almost unforeseeable one week ago, when Johnson seemed to be steaming toward a constitutional crisis over a potential "no deal" Brexit on the Oct. 31 deadline.

Between the lines: Johnson's deal is similar to the one his predecessor, Theresa May, saw repeatedly rejected in Parliament (including by Johnson), with some tweaks around the crucial issue of Northern Ireland.

The parliamentary arithmetic looks tricky for Johnson too, as he no longer has a working majority and a Northern Irish party that supports his government, the DUP, has rejected this deal.
Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the opposition Labour Party, has said this deal is "even worse" than May's. Labour wants a second referendum in which the public can accept or reject the deal.
The British pound is surging. It had weakened significantly on the prospect of "no deal," which would be economically calamitous as it would see trading arrangements dissolve overnight.

What's next: Johnson wants Parliament to convene to vote on his plan this Saturday. That's the deadline the opposition and rebels within his own party imposed to either reach a deal with the EU or seek a deadline extension beyond Halloween. It should be dramatic.

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Johnson reaches Brexit deal, but needs Parliament's approval

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