The deadline for the UK to strike a deal with an EU comes to a near. The conditions were already not in favour of the British PM Boris Johnson & now with Joe Biden coming to the White House. the US will be under increased pressure to strike a Brexit deal.

Fears of worsening US-UK ties with no-deal outcome | US-Brexit vision under Biden

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks.

The UK had imposed a deadline of last week's EU summit for a deal &nbsp;and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was now ready to walk away and prepare for a no-deal exit, after five decades of EU membership.

However, senior minister Michael Gove said on Sunday he was still hopeful there would be an agreement, telling TV interviews the door remained "ajar" if the EU would change its position.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-brexit-trade-talks-are-over-unless-eu-shifts-335816">Also read:&nbsp;UK says Brexit trade talks are 'over' unless EU shifts</a>

The two sides disagree on the rules for fair competition, how these rules will be policed and how much access EU fishing fleets will get to UK waters.

Britain wants to reassert sovereignty over its waters and have no EU legal oversight over the deal -- insisting it wants a simple trade deal of the kind the EU signed with Canada.

But the EU says Britain's situation is completely different to that of Canada.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-virus-surges-and-brexit-bears-down-boris-johnson-stalls-for-time-335716">Also read:&nbsp;As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time</a>

"I want a deal, I'm keen to conclude one but it takes both sides to compromise in order for there to be one. The EU is not doing so at the moment," Gove told Sky News, adding that the EU did not seem serious in their desire to reach a deal.

Chief European negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost are due to discuss the structure of talks on Monday, according to the European Commission.

"The ball is in his court," Gove said of Barnier.&nbsp;

Failure to strike a deal would see Britain and Europe revert to World Trade Organization terms, with higher tariffs and quotas, potentially devastating for economies already weakened by the pandemic.

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks. The UK had imposed a deadline of last week's EU summit for a deal and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was now ready to walk away and prepare for a no-deal exit, after five decades of EU membership.

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks. The UK had imposed a deadline of last week's EU summit for a deal and Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was now ready to walk away and prepare for a no-deal exit, after five decades of EU membership. However, senior minister Michael Gove said on Sunday he was still hopeful there would be an agreement, telling TV interviews the door remained "ajar" if the EU would change its position. Also read: UK says Brexit trade talks are 'over' unless EU shifts The two sides disagree on the rules for fair competition, how these rules will be policed and how much access EU fishing fleets will get to UK waters. Britain wants to reassert sovereignty over its waters and have no EU legal oversight over the deal -- insisting it wants a simple trade deal of the kind the EU signed with Canada. But the EU says Britain's situation is completely different to that of Canada. Also read: As virus surges and Brexit bears down, Boris Johnson stalls for time "I want a deal, I'm keen to conclude one but it takes both sides to compromise in order for there to be one. The EU is not doing so at the moment," Gove told Sky News, adding that the EU did not seem serious in their desire to reach a deal. Chief European negotiator Michel Barnier and his British counterpart David Frost are due to discuss the structure of talks on Monday, according to the European Commission. "The ball is in his court," Gove said of Barnier. Failure to strike a deal would see Britain and Europe revert to World Trade Organization terms, with higher tariffs and quotas, potentially devastating for economies already weakened by the pandemic.

UK says door remains 'ajar' for post-Brexit trade deal

EU leaders have called for post-Brexit trade talks to continue beyond the end of the week - the deadline suggested by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

EU-UK trade deal post-Brexit: EU leaders stress unity of 27-nation bloc

As the deadline for the Brexit deal approaches British PM Boris Johnson has expressed his optimism that the deal will come through. Watch report.

The Brexit Deal: Will Britain crash out of single market with no deal

The president of the European Union’s executive arm Ursula Von Der said Wednesday that the United Kingdom cannot unilaterally change the bilateral Brexit agreement

EU Chief Ursula Von Der says Brexit deal cannot be changed

EU leader Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday that Britain is legally obliged to respect the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which must form the basis on any future relationship.

"I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership," the president of the European Commission said.

Von der Leyen issued her warning&nbsp;after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union. He has set October 15 as the deadline, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-sets-october-15-as-deadline-for-brexit-negotiations-with-eu-325611" hreflang="en">British PM Boris Johnson sets October 15 as deadline for Brexit negotiations with EU</a>

This week, the eighth round of negotiations between the two will resume in London. Both sides talking increasingly tough, amid accusations of intransigence and political brinkmanship.

His EU opposite number, Michel Barnier, this week said the talks stood or failed on the need to get an accord on EU access to UK fishing waters and state aid rules, but Britain was giving no ground.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-wont-blink-first-uk-warns-the-eu-on-brexit-trade-negotiations-325513" hreflang="en">'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations</a>

According to Brussels, it indicated that mid-October was the latest a deal could be struck, given the need for translation and ratification by the European Parliament.

Despite months of refusing to confirm a firm cut-off date, Johnson agreed.

"There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year," he said in remarks released by his office.

"So, there is no sense in thinking beyond that point. If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us."

If this happens, the United Kingdom will have an "Australia-style" deal with the EU or one similar to that agreed with Canada and other countries, he said.

Australia trades with the EU under World Trade Organization rules and tariffs. But Johnson, whose government had said it wanted a "zero tariff, zero quota" regime, insisted it would still be a "good outcome" for Britain.

EU leader Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday that Britain is legally obliged to respect the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which must form the basis on any future relationship.

EU leader Ursula von der Leyen warned Monday that Britain is legally obliged to respect the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which must form the basis on any future relationship. "I trust the British government to implement the Withdrawal Agreement, an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership," the president of the European Commission said. Von der Leyen issued her warning after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a deadline for a post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union. He has set October 15 as the deadline, brushing off fears about "no-deal" chaos if talks fail. Also read: British PM Boris Johnson sets October 15 as deadline for Brexit negotiations with EU This week, the eighth round of negotiations between the two will resume in London. Both sides talking increasingly tough, amid accusations of intransigence and political brinkmanship. His EU opposite number, Michel Barnier, this week said the talks stood or failed on the need to get an accord on EU access to UK fishing waters and state aid rules, but Britain was giving no ground. Also read: 'We won't blink first': UK warns the EU on Brexit trade negotiations According to Brussels, it indicated that mid-October was the latest a deal could be struck, given the need for translation and ratification by the European Parliament. Despite months of refusing to confirm a firm cut-off date, Johnson agreed. "There needs to be an agreement with our European friends by the time of the European Council on October 15 if it's going to be in force by the end of the year," he said in remarks released by his office. "So, there is no sense in thinking beyond that point. If we can't agree by then, then I do not see that there will be a free trade agreement between us." If this happens, the United Kingdom will have an "Australia-style" deal with the EU or one similar to that agreed with Canada and other countries, he said. Australia trades with the EU under World Trade Organization rules and tariffs. But Johnson, whose government had said it wanted a "zero tariff, zero quota" regime, insisted it would still be a "good outcome" for Britain.

European Union chief warns UK must respect Brexit withdrawal deal

Britain's parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union by the end of this month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and divided a nation.

The House of Commons erupted in cheers after MPs ratified Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with Brussels 330 votes to 231, drawing a line under an extraordinary era of political drama and chaos.

For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, lawmakers have been at each others' throats over how, when or even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years.

Some viewed Brexit with horror, fearing that it stripped them of their European identities and turned Britain into an insular, less important nation.

Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to "take back control" from officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might.

Businesses and governments in Europe, puzzled by Britain's struggles over what they viewed as a self-inflicted wound, hoped that Brexit could still somehow be undone.

But Johnson's comprehensive victory in last month's general election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil, giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push it through.

MPs gave their initial blessing to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas, and the government set aside just three days this week for detailed scrutiny of the complex text.

But few MPs even bothered to turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both sessions ending early, while the government easily saw off opposition attempts to amend the text.

The momentous day on which Johnson effectively gets permission to abandon the European integration project was all but ignored in Thursday's media.

Instead, it became a footnote to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's decision to quit royal front-line duties -- &nbsp;christened "Megxit" and shaping up to be equally complicated and divisive.

"We will be leaving the EU on January 31. We will have delivered on the PM's commitment to get Brexit done," a government spokesman said, echoing Johnson's election mantra.

Britain's main opposition Labour party, bruised by its worst beating at the polls since 1935, voted against Brexit on Thursday knowing the battle had been lost.

We "may not win many votes in parliament just now, but we can win the moral argument", said Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer, a potential successor to Jeremy Corbyn as party leader.

"Whatever (Johnson) says about the wider issues, he must know the government have got this wrong."

The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament, which is seen as a formality.

Turning to trade

All eyes are now on another major challenge: the negotiation of a new relationship between Britain and the remaining 27 EU nations, which form the world's largest single market.

The Brexit deal covers separation issues such as EU citizens' rights and Britain's financial settlement and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnership.

Brussels warns the current deadline of December 31 this year is extremely tight, and has given London the option to ask for more time.

But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period, saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible.

Ahead of talks with Johnson on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it would be "basically impossible" to agree everything within London's timeframe.

"We will have to prioritise," she said in a speech to the London School of Economics University, warning of "tough talks ahead".

In response, Johnson's office indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal.

London did not want the EU's longstanding policy that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" -- intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like -- to define the coming negotiations, a spokesman said.

"We are very clear we want to get on in terms of negotiating a deal," he said.

Britain's parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union by the end of this month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and divided a nation.

Britain's parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union by the end of this month, ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and divided a nation. The House of Commons erupted in cheers after MPs ratified Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with Brussels 330 votes to 231, drawing a line under an extraordinary era of political drama and chaos. For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, lawmakers have been at each others' throats over how, when or even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years. Some viewed Brexit with horror, fearing that it stripped them of their European identities and turned Britain into an insular, less important nation. Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to "take back control" from officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might. Businesses and governments in Europe, puzzled by Britain's struggles over what they viewed as a self-inflicted wound, hoped that Brexit could still somehow be undone. But Johnson's comprehensive victory in last month's general election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil, giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push it through. MPs gave their initial blessing to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas, and the government set aside just three days this week for detailed scrutiny of the complex text. But few MPs even bothered to turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both sessions ending early, while the government easily saw off opposition attempts to amend the text. The momentous day on which Johnson effectively gets permission to abandon the European integration project was all but ignored in Thursday's media. Instead, it became a footnote to Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's decision to quit royal front-line duties -- christened "Megxit" and shaping up to be equally complicated and divisive. "We will be leaving the EU on January 31. We will have delivered on the PM's commitment to get Brexit done," a government spokesman said, echoing Johnson's election mantra. Britain's main opposition Labour party, bruised by its worst beating at the polls since 1935, voted against Brexit on Thursday knowing the battle had been lost. We "may not win many votes in parliament just now, but we can win the moral argument", said Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer, a potential successor to Jeremy Corbyn as party leader. "Whatever (Johnson) says about the wider issues, he must know the government have got this wrong." The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament, which is seen as a formality. Turning to trade All eyes are now on another major challenge: the negotiation of a new relationship between Britain and the remaining 27 EU nations, which form the world's largest single market. The Brexit deal covers separation issues such as EU citizens' rights and Britain's financial settlement and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnership. Brussels warns the current deadline of December 31 this year is extremely tight, and has given London the option to ask for more time. But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period, saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible. Ahead of talks with Johnson on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it would be "basically impossible" to agree everything within London's timeframe. "We will have to prioritise," she said in a speech to the London School of Economics University, warning of "tough talks ahead". In response, Johnson's office indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal. London did not want the EU's longstanding policy that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" -- intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like -- to define the coming negotiations, a spokesman said. "We are very clear we want to get on in terms of negotiating a deal," he said.

Finally, British lawmakers approve historic Brexit deal

After years of angry arguments that toppled two governments, Britain's parliament Thursday will finally approve the terms of Brexit, clearing the divided country's exit from the European Union on January 31.

The House of Commons will rush through a final day of hearings and ratify <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-wins-first-vote-in-new-parliament-269404">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a>'s divorce deal with Brussels, drawing a line under an extraordinary period of political chaos.

For much of the time since the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-johnson-promises-to-wrap-up-brexit-for-christmas-parliament-to-vote-269264"> 2016 Brexit referendum</a>, lawmakers have been deadlocked over how, when and even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years.

Some viewed Brexit with horror, fearing that it stripped them of their European identities and turned Britain into an insular, slightly smaller, and somewhat less important nation.

Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to "take back control" from unelected officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might.

Businesses and governments in Europe, puzzled with Britain's struggles over what they viewed as a self-inflicted wound, hoped that Brexit could still somehow be undone.

But Johnson's comprehensive victory in last month's general election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil, giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push Brexit through.

Watch | Few unscripted comments came out during UK PMs quest to get Brexit done

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MPs gave their initial blessing to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas, and the government set aside just three days this week for detailed scrutiny of the complex text.

But few MPs even bothered to turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both sessions ending early, while the government easily saw off opposition attempts to amend the text.

The momentous day on which Johnson effectively gets his divorce deal to leave the EU sanctioned was all but ignored in Thursday's media.

Instead, it became a footnote to Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to quit royal front-line duties.&nbsp;

In a striking contrast to much of last year, when every Brexit vote risked bringing down the previous government and eventually did, Commons approval on Thursday is now a done deal.

The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament, but this is expected before January 31.

Turning to trade

All eyes are now on another major challenge: the negotiation of a new relationship between Britain and the remaining 27 EU nations, which form the world's largest single market.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-scrutinise-brexit-deal-as-january-31-deadline-nears-272604">Brexit deal</a> covers separation issues such as EU citizens' rights and Britain's financial settlement and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnership.

Brussels warns the current deadline of December 31 is extremely tight, and has given London the option to ask for more time.

But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period, saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible.

Ahead of talks with Johnson on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it would be "basically impossible" to agree everything within London's timeframe.

"We will have to prioritise," she said in a speech to the London School of Economics University, warning of "tough talks ahead".

In response, Johnson's office indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal.

London did not want the EU's longstanding policy that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" -- intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like -- to define the coming negotiations, a spokesman said.

"We are very clear we want to get on in terms of negotiating a deal," he said.

But before they do, Britain must still decide the outstanding issue of Big Ben.

The great bell on parliament's Elizabeth Tower has been mostly silent since restoration work on it began in 2017.&nbsp;

Brexit backing MPs want Big Ben to bong the moment Brexit strikes at 2300 GMT on October 31, celebrating what Conservative Mark Francois described as the moment "we are again a free country".

Parliament has shied away from a formal debate on the bell, there is no law preventing it from being chimed.

After years of angry arguments that toppled two governments, Britain's parliament Thursday will finally approve the terms of Brexit, clearing the divided country's exit from the European Union on January 31.

After years of angry arguments that toppled two governments, Britain's parliament Thursday will finally approve the terms of Brexit, clearing the divided country's exit from the European Union on January 31. The House of Commons will rush through a final day of hearings and ratify Prime Minister Boris Johnson's divorce deal with Brussels, drawing a line under an extraordinary period of political chaos. For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, lawmakers have been deadlocked over how, when and even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years. Some viewed Brexit with horror, fearing that it stripped them of their European identities and turned Britain into an insular, slightly smaller, and somewhat less important nation. Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to "take back control" from unelected officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might. Businesses and governments in Europe, puzzled with Britain's struggles over what they viewed as a self-inflicted wound, hoped that Brexit could still somehow be undone. But Johnson's comprehensive victory in last month's general election brought an abrupt end to the turmoil, giving his Conservatives a parliamentary majority with which to push Brexit through. Watch | Few unscripted comments came out during UK PMs quest to get Brexit done × MPs gave their initial blessing to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill before Christmas, and the government set aside just three days this week for detailed scrutiny of the complex text. But few MPs even bothered to turn up on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both sessions ending early, while the government easily saw off opposition attempts to amend the text. The momentous day on which Johnson effectively gets his divorce deal to leave the EU sanctioned was all but ignored in Thursday's media. Instead, it became a footnote to Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to quit royal front-line duties. In a striking contrast to much of last year, when every Brexit vote risked bringing down the previous government and eventually did, Commons approval on Thursday is now a done deal. The Brexit bill must still be passed by the unelected House of Lords and the European Parliament, but this is expected before January 31. Turning to trade All eyes are now on another major challenge: the negotiation of a new relationship between Britain and the remaining 27 EU nations, which form the world's largest single market. The Brexit deal covers separation issues such as EU citizens' rights and Britain's financial settlement and sets out an 11-month transition period in which to agree a wider partnership. Brussels warns the current deadline of December 31 is extremely tight, and has given London the option to ask for more time. But Johnson insists there will be no extension of the transition period, saying that Britain must be free of EU rules as soon as possible. Ahead of talks with Johnson on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it would be "basically impossible" to agree everything within London's timeframe. "We will have to prioritise," she said in a speech to the London School of Economics University, warning of "tough talks ahead". In response, Johnson's office indicated that it could accept a partial trade deal. London did not want the EU's longstanding policy that "nothing is agreed until everything is agreed" -- intended to stop one side cherry-picking bits of a deal they like -- to define the coming negotiations, a spokesman said. "We are very clear we want to get on in terms of negotiating a deal," he said. But before they do, Britain must still decide the outstanding issue of Big Ben. The great bell on parliament's Elizabeth Tower has been mostly silent since restoration work on it began in 2017. Brexit backing MPs want Big Ben to bong the moment Brexit strikes at 2300 GMT on October 31, celebrating what Conservative Mark Francois described as the moment "we are again a free country". Parliament has shied away from a formal debate on the bell, there is no law preventing it from being chimed.

After years of arguments, British MPs set to finally seal Brexit deal

In the first step towards fulfilling the Brexit promise, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-johnson-promises-to-wrap-up-brexit-for-christmas-parliament-to-vote-269264">Boris Johnson </a>won approval for his Brexit deal in parliament on Friday.

The MPs voted by 358 to 234 to clear the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through its first hurdle in the House of Commons.

The latest win paved the way for Johnson for his general election promise to "get Brexit done" by January 31.

A snap poll last week gave Johnson's pro-Brexit Conservatives a commanding majority of 365 seats in the 650-member lower House of Commons.

The main opposition Labour party -- out of power since 2010 and riven by internal conflicts over Britain's place in the world -- was relegated to its worst defeat since 1935.

Johnson's triumph dispelled any doubts over whether Britain would follow through on the results of its 2016 referendum and become the first nation to leave the bloc, ending almost half a century of EU membership.

Britain's formal departure on January 31 is due to be followed by an 11-month transition period during which things are to stay pretty much as now.

London and Brussels are supposed to use the time to negotiate a comprehensive new agreement covering everything from trade to security and data protection.

Just a week after he won the largest Conservative majority since Margaret Thatcher in 1987, Johnson has set out an ambitious government programme with securing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-and-health-britains-johnson-sets-out-priorities-in-queens-speech-269050">Brexit at the top</a> of his agenda to repay the trust of voters.

Hoping to satisfy the demands of voters in northern and central England who broke their tradition of backing the opposition Labour Party to support him, he has also pledged more funding to the state health service, education and policing.

"After years of delay and rancour in parliament, we will deliver certainty, and hard-working businesses and people across this country will have a firm foundation on which to plan for the future," he said.

"Next year will be a great year for our country."

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the first step towards fulfilling the Brexit promise, Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval for his Brexit deal in parliament on Friday. The MPs voted by 358 to 234 to clear the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through its first hurdle in the House of Commons.

In the first step towards fulfilling the Brexit promise, Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval for his Brexit deal in parliament on Friday. The MPs voted by 358 to 234 to clear the Withdrawal Agreement Bill through its first hurdle in the House of Commons. The latest win paved the way for Johnson for his general election promise to "get Brexit done" by January 31. A snap poll last week gave Johnson's pro-Brexit Conservatives a commanding majority of 365 seats in the 650-member lower House of Commons. The main opposition Labour party -- out of power since 2010 and riven by internal conflicts over Britain's place in the world -- was relegated to its worst defeat since 1935. Johnson's triumph dispelled any doubts over whether Britain would follow through on the results of its 2016 referendum and become the first nation to leave the bloc, ending almost half a century of EU membership. Britain's formal departure on January 31 is due to be followed by an 11-month transition period during which things are to stay pretty much as now. London and Brussels are supposed to use the time to negotiate a comprehensive new agreement covering everything from trade to security and data protection. Just a week after he won the largest Conservative majority since Margaret Thatcher in 1987, Johnson has set out an ambitious government programme with securing Brexit at the top of his agenda to repay the trust of voters. Hoping to satisfy the demands of voters in northern and central England who broke their tradition of backing the opposition Labour Party to support him, he has also pledged more funding to the state health service, education and policing. "After years of delay and rancour in parliament, we will deliver certainty, and hard-working businesses and people across this country will have a firm foundation on which to plan for the future," he said. "Next year will be a great year for our country." (With inputs from agencies)

British PM Boris Johnson's Brexit deal wins first vote in new Parliament

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Britain would leave the European Union by January 31 at the latest if his Conservative Party win a majority in the election in two weeks time, reported news agency Reuters.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday that Britain would leave the European Union by January 31 at the latest if his Conservative Party win a majority in the election in two weeks time, reported news agency Reuters. "If we can get a working majority then we will come on Jan. 31 at the absolute latest," the report said Johnson as saying to LBC radio. He also repeated his message that he saw no reason why Britain would need to extend the transition period after Brexit beyond the end of 2020. Asked if he would rather be prime minister or have Britain leave the EU, he replied: "I would rather get us out of the EU. I can tell you that." (With inputs from Reuters)

UK PM Johnson says UK will leave EU by Jan. 31 at the latest

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 7th, 2019

Britain will hold its first December election in almost a century after Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval from parliament on Tuesday (October 28) for an early ballot aimed at breaking the Brexit deadlock.

Britain set for Dec. 12 election to break the Brexit deadlock

Britain's former finance minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday he would vote against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid on Monday to force an election, saying parliament should be focused on trying to secure a deal to leave the European Union.

Britain's former finance minister Philip Hammond said on Sunday he would vote against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid on Monday to force an election, saying parliament should be focused on trying to secure a deal to leave the European Union. "I shall be voting against him. This is not the time to be holding a general election, it is a time for cool heads and grown up government," Hammond told Sky News, adding that parliament should instead be scrutinising the Brexit deal. "The government should stop making threats, stop throwing tantrums and get on with the grown up business of doing its business," he said.

I will not back government's election bid, says UK former finance minister

The pound extended losses Wednesday after Boris Johnson's failure to push through his Brexit deal fuelled fresh uncertainty, while Asian markets also ticked lower as investors took a step back after recent gains.

With everything quiet on the China-US trade talks, attention was on Westminster where Britain's prime minister finally got MPs to agree to his EU divorce pact, but minutes later lost a vote on a truncated debate that would have passed it in just three days.

The news means Johnson is unlikely to fulfil his pledge of leaving the European Union the October 31 deadline and raises the possibility of his calling a general election before the end of the year.

EU chiefs are now expected to recommend another extension to the withdrawal date, which analysts said the PM would blame on opposition lawmakers in the event of a national poll.

The prospect of another delay hit sterling, which fell as low as $1.2843 on Wednesday. The unit had earlier this week broken $1.30 for the first time in five months on hopes of averting a painful no-deal divorce. It was also lower against the euro.

"Getting a revised withdrawal agreement to this point and winning with a convincing margin... is an extraordinary achievement," said Stephen Innes, senior market analyst at AxiTrader.

"But with parliament rejecting PM Johnson's truncated timetable in favour of more time to debate the bill, it now means members will give the statute the fine-tooth comb treatment, opening it to more criticism suggesting it could be knocked down later."

- 'Endless' permutations - 
However, one observer pointed out that remarks from Johnson that he would drag Britain out of the EU with the deal come what may be significant.

"This could be an important, indeed key, shift in the government's position as it may indicate a willingness to extend and then seek to get the bill through Parliament," said Neil Wilson at Markets.com.

"My initial thoughts are that the government will let the EU offer the extension to get the bill through, and (Johnson) can square the circle later with amendments etcetera."

But he added that "the permutations remain nearly endless... Uncertainty prevails, but parliament has backed a deal and that feels like a key moment".

The news weighed on US markets, with all three main indexes ending down, and the losses seeped through to Asia.

Tokyo went into the break slightly lower as investors returned from a one-day holiday, while Shanghai slipped 0.1 per cent and Sydney shed 0.2 per cent.

Hong Kong was down 0.5 per cent, with traders keeping tabs on reactions to a Financial Times report saying China was drawing up a plan to remove the city's beleaguered chief executive after nearly five months of pro-democracy unrest.

Singapore fell 0.6 per cent and Seoul was off 0.3 per cent, while Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also well into the red.

Wellington tumbled two per cent, with major construction firm Fletcher Building hit by a massive fire at a&nbsp;$450 million convention centre it is building in the middle of Auckland.

Oil prices dipped after data indicated US stockpiles increased again last week, reinforcing worries about demand as the world economy slows.&nbsp;

The pound extended losses Wednesday after Boris Johnson's failure to push through his Brexit deal fuelled fresh uncertainty, while Asian markets also ticked lower as investors took a step back after recent gains.

The pound extended losses Wednesday after Boris Johnson's failure to push through his Brexit deal fuelled fresh uncertainty, while Asian markets also ticked lower as investors took a step back after recent gains. With everything quiet on the China-US trade talks, attention was on Westminster where Britain's prime minister finally got MPs to agree to his EU divorce pact, but minutes later lost a vote on a truncated debate that would have passed it in just three days. The news means Johnson is unlikely to fulfil his pledge of leaving the European Union the October 31 deadline and raises the possibility of his calling a general election before the end of the year. EU chiefs are now expected to recommend another extension to the withdrawal date, which analysts said the PM would blame on opposition lawmakers in the event of a national poll. The prospect of another delay hit sterling, which fell as low as $1.2843 on Wednesday. The unit had earlier this week broken $1.30 for the first time in five months on hopes of averting a painful no-deal divorce. It was also lower against the euro. "Getting a revised withdrawal agreement to this point and winning with a convincing margin... is an extraordinary achievement," said Stephen Innes, senior market analyst at AxiTrader. "But with parliament rejecting PM Johnson's truncated timetable in favour of more time to debate the bill, it now means members will give the statute the fine-tooth comb treatment, opening it to more criticism suggesting it could be knocked down later." - 'Endless' permutations - However, one observer pointed out that remarks from Johnson that he would drag Britain out of the EU with the deal come what may be significant. "This could be an important, indeed key, shift in the government's position as it may indicate a willingness to extend and then seek to get the bill through Parliament," said Neil Wilson at Markets.com. "My initial thoughts are that the government will let the EU offer the extension to get the bill through, and (Johnson) can square the circle later with amendments etcetera." But he added that "the permutations remain nearly endless... Uncertainty prevails, but parliament has backed a deal and that feels like a key moment". The news weighed on US markets, with all three main indexes ending down, and the losses seeped through to Asia. Tokyo went into the break slightly lower as investors returned from a one-day holiday, while Shanghai slipped 0.1 per cent and Sydney shed 0.2 per cent. Hong Kong was down 0.5 per cent, with traders keeping tabs on reactions to a Financial Times report saying China was drawing up a plan to remove the city's beleaguered chief executive after nearly five months of pro-democracy unrest. Singapore fell 0.6 per cent and Seoul was off 0.3 per cent, while Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also well into the red. Wellington tumbled two per cent, with major construction firm Fletcher Building hit by a massive fire at a $450 million convention centre it is building in the middle of Auckland. Oil prices dipped after data indicated US stockpiles increased again last week, reinforcing worries about demand as the world economy slows.

Pound, Asian markets slip as Johnson Brexit bid fails again

There is another vote on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal refused. Now, the UK speaker also refused to allow the vote for the Brexit deal. Watch this video to know more.

Brexit Deal: UK speaker refuses to allow the Brexit vote

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a potentially perilous ratification of his Brexit divorce deal in the British parliament after the speaker refused to allow a vote on it on Monday.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a potentially perilous ratification of his Brexit divorce deal in the British parliament after the speaker refused to allow a vote on it on Monday. With just 10 days left until the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on October 31, the divorce is again in disarray as Britain's politicians argue over whether to leave with a deal, exit without a deal or hold another referendum. House of Commons speaker John Bercow said a vote should not be allowed on Monday as the same issue had been discussed on Saturday when opponents turned Johnson's big Brexit day into a humiliation. "In summary, today's motion is in substance the same as Saturday's motion and the House (of Commons) has decided the matter. Today's circumstances are in substance the same as Saturday's circumstances," Bercow told parliament. "My ruling is therefore that the motion will not be debated today as it would be repetitive and disorderly to do so," Bercow said, provoking the ire of Brexit supporting lawmakers who said they had been refused a chance to vote on Johnson's deal. Bercow said the government could still secure ratification for the Brexit deal by Oct. 31 if it had the numbers in parliament. Johnson was disappointed by the decision, a spokesman said. But the speaker's decision means that the government will have to try to push on with the legislation needed for ratification, a process opponents are plotting to wreck with amendments that would destroy Johnson's deal. Johnson was ambushed in parliament on Saturday by opponents who demanded a change to the sequencing of the ratification of the deal, exposing the prime minister to a law which forced him to request a delay until Jan. 31. He sent the note to the European Union unsigned - and added another signed letter arguing against what he said was a deeply corrosive delay. Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said European Council President Donald Tusk had accepted the delay request as valid and was considering it. Brexit chaos The European Union, which has grappled with the Brexit crisis since Britons voted 52%-48% to leave in a 2016 referendum, decided on Sunday to play for time rather than rush to decide on Johnson's request for a delay. From the bloc's point of view, extension options range from just an additional month until the end of November to half a year or longer. The government insists Britain will leave the EU on Oct. 31. Parliament will vote in the second reading on legislation known as the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on Tuesday, after which amendments can be proposed to it. Johnson's ministers said they were confident they had the numbers to push a deal through parliament, though there was concern that amendments could wreck Johnson's deal. The opposition Labour Party is planning changes to the legislation needed for Brexit that would make the deal unacceptable to swathes of Johnson's own party -- including a proposal for another referendum. Bercow's decision provoked criticism from Brexit supporters. "It is becoming remarkable how often you please one lot and not the other lot," Bernard Jenkin, a pro-Brexit Conservative Party lawmaker, told parliament. Bercow dismissed such criticism, saying his decision was honourable and based on a long-standing convention in the House of Commons. "He is grumbling now because he doesn't like the judgement," Bercow said of Jenkin. "If the government have got the numbers, the government can have their way." The Withdrawal Agreement Bill enshrines the Brexit deal, known as the Withdrawal Agreement in British law and must be passed before the treaty is considered to be ratified. Previous bills to implement major European treaties have taken between 10 and 40 sitting days to get through parliament, according to the Institute of Government. A spokesman for Johnson said that if the legislation strayed too far from the deal then its ratification would be placed in question.

Johnson faces perilous Brexit ratification after Brexit deal vote blocked

A defiant Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not negotiate a further delay to Britain's departure from the European Union after losing a vote in parliament on Saturday (October 19) that means he is obliged to request a postponement.

UK PM writes half-hearted letter to EU

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-urges-united-kingdom-to-explain-brexit-plan-as-soon-as-possible-256956">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> reluctantly wrote to Brussels late Saturday asking for a Brexit extension after MPs voted to force him into seeking <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-mps-vote-to-delay-brexit-deal-decision-256944">a delay beyond October 31</a>.

But Johnson, who has pinned his premiership on getting Britain out of the European Union on time, refused to sign the letter he sent to European Council President Donald Tusk.

The Conservative leader also sent a second signed letter insisting he was not seeking an extension to the Brexit deadline, which has already been postponed twice.

In a day of high drama in the House of Commons, MPs declined to give their backing to the revised withdrawal agreement Johnson struck with the EU this week until the legislation needed to ratify it has passed.

Having failed to back a divorce deal, they triggered a law requiring Johnson to write to EU leaders by the end of the day asking to delay Brexit, to avoid the risk that Britain crashes out in less than a fortnight.

Johnson sent a photocopy of the letter that was contained in the law requiring him to ask for the delay, but did not sign it, showed a copy released by his Downing Street office early Sunday.

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He wrote and signed another letter which made clear he does not want to delay Brexit beyond the end of this month.

"Regrettably, parliament missed the opportunity to inject momentum into the ratification process," Johnson wrote in the signed letter, regretting that EU leaders would now have to spend yet more time on Brexit.

"A further extension would damage the interests of the UK and our EU partners, and the relationship between us. We must bring this process to a conclusion."

Johnson nonetheless said he remained "confident" of completing the ratification process by October 31.

A third cover letter written by Britain's EU ambassador Tim Barrow made clear that the Brexit delay request letter was only being sent to comply with the law.

Tusk consults EU chiefs

"I will now start consulting EU leaders on how to react," Tusk said on Twitter.

An EU source told AFP that the process "may take a few days" and declined to comment on the non-signature.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the prime minister had spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Tusk.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he had discussed the situation with Johnson and "wished him success in the next stages" in the Commons.

Being forced to send the letter after Saturday's defeat was a blow to Johnson, who has previously said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than prolong the tortuous process of ending Britain's 46-year-old membership of the EU.

Brussels urged Britain to explain its plan as soon as possible, while Macron's office said a new delay to Brexit was "in nobody's interest".

Johnson beaten 322-306

Securing the new divorce treaty at Thursday's EU summit had been a personal victory for the prime minister, a figurehead in the Leave campaign in Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum.

He had spent 48 hours frantically trying to persuade MPs to back it, and won support from many of the eurosceptic Conservatives who had three times rejected a previous divorce agreement secured by his predecessor Theresa May.

But parliament -- like the frustrated public -- is still bitterly divided over how and even whether Britain should end decades of integration with its closest trading partner.

MPs voted by 322 to 306 to back a motion by former Conservative minister Oliver Letwin that "withholds approval (of the deal) unless and until implementing legislation is passed".

They were meeting on a Saturday for the first time since the 1982 Falklands War.

While MPs voted inside parliament, outside, more than 100,000 people marched to demand a new referendum that could reverse Brexit.

Demonstrators erupted into cheers at the news from inside the Commons.

"That's really good, that's one step away from Brexit," demonstrator Philip Dobson told AFP.

"Reject Brexit", "Put It To The People" and "Stop This Madness" read some of the placards at the mass march, where many protesters also waved EU flags.

Legislation next week

The British government will introduce legislation next week to implement the divorce deal, with a first vote as soon as Tuesday.

The government also wants another vote on the deal on Monday, which may not be possible.

There is a chance the deal could pass, and Britain could still leave the EU on October 31, but there remains strong opposition to the agreement among MPs.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reluctantly wrote to Brussels late Saturday asking for a Brexit extension after MPs voted to force him into seeking a delay beyond October 31.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reluctantly wrote to Brussels late Saturday asking for a Brexit extension after MPs voted to force him into seeking a delay beyond October 31. But Johnson, who has pinned his premiership on getting Britain out of the European Union on time, refused to sign the letter he sent to European Council President Donald Tusk. The Conservative leader also sent a second signed letter insisting he was not seeking an extension to the Brexit deadline, which has already been postponed twice. In a day of high drama in the House of Commons, MPs declined to give their backing to the revised withdrawal agreement Johnson struck with the EU this week until the legislation needed to ratify it has passed. Having failed to back a divorce deal, they triggered a law requiring Johnson to write to EU leaders by the end of the day asking to delay Brexit, to avoid the risk that Britain crashes out in less than a fortnight. Johnson sent a photocopy of the letter that was contained in the law requiring him to ask for the delay, but did not sign it, showed a copy released by his Downing Street office early Sunday. × He wrote and signed another letter which made clear he does not want to delay Brexit beyond the end of this month. "Regrettably, parliament missed the opportunity to inject momentum into the ratification process," Johnson wrote in the signed letter, regretting that EU leaders would now have to spend yet more time on Brexit. "A further extension would damage the interests of the UK and our EU partners, and the relationship between us. We must bring this process to a conclusion." Johnson nonetheless said he remained "confident" of completing the ratification process by October 31. A third cover letter written by Britain's EU ambassador Tim Barrow made clear that the Brexit delay request letter was only being sent to comply with the law. Tusk consults EU chiefs "I will now start consulting EU leaders on how to react," Tusk said on Twitter. An EU source told AFP that the process "may take a few days" and declined to comment on the non-signature. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the prime minister had spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Tusk. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he had discussed the situation with Johnson and "wished him success in the next stages" in the Commons. Being forced to send the letter after Saturday's defeat was a blow to Johnson, who has previously said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than prolong the tortuous process of ending Britain's 46-year-old membership of the EU. Brussels urged Britain to explain its plan as soon as possible, while Macron's office said a new delay to Brexit was "in nobody's interest". Johnson beaten 322-306 Securing the new divorce treaty at Thursday's EU summit had been a personal victory for the prime minister, a figurehead in the Leave campaign in Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum. He had spent 48 hours frantically trying to persuade MPs to back it, and won support from many of the eurosceptic Conservatives who had three times rejected a previous divorce agreement secured by his predecessor Theresa May. But parliament -- like the frustrated public -- is still bitterly divided over how and even whether Britain should end decades of integration with its closest trading partner. MPs voted by 322 to 306 to back a motion by former Conservative minister Oliver Letwin that "withholds approval (of the deal) unless and until implementing legislation is passed". They were meeting on a Saturday for the first time since the 1982 Falklands War. While MPs voted inside parliament, outside, more than 100,000 people marched to demand a new referendum that could reverse Brexit. Demonstrators erupted into cheers at the news from inside the Commons. "That's really good, that's one step away from Brexit," demonstrator Philip Dobson told AFP. "Reject Brexit", "Put It To The People" and "Stop This Madness" read some of the placards at the mass march, where many protesters also waved EU flags. Legislation next week The British government will introduce legislation next week to implement the divorce deal, with a first vote as soon as Tuesday. The government also wants another vote on the deal on Monday, which may not be possible. There is a chance the deal could pass, and Britain could still leave the EU on October 31, but there remains strong opposition to the agreement among MPs.

British PM Boris Johnson sends unsigned letter seeking Brexit delay

Brexit Vote setback for Boris Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-scrambles-to-sell-brexit-deal-to-mps-256702">last-minute Brexit deal</a> to a vote in an extraordinary sitting of the British parliament on Saturday, a day of reckoning that could decide the course of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.

More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48 to be the first sovereign country to leave the European project, Johnson will try to win parliament's approval for the divorce treaty he struck in Brussels on Thursday.

In a day of Brexit high drama, lawmakers convene for the first Saturday sitting since the 1982 Argentine invasion of the Falklands, while hundreds of thousands of people march to parliament demanding another referendum.

Johnson cast the vote in parliament as the last chance to secure an orderly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/european-union-leaders-discuss-12-trillion-post-brexit-budget-256617">Brexit</a>. Though he is obliged by law to seek a Brexit delay if his deal falls, Johnson said the United Kingdom would still leave on October&nbsp;31. He didn't explain how.

"There has been any number of false dawns. Deadlines for our departure have come and gone," Johnson, the face of the 2016 campaign to leave the EU, wrote in Britain's best selling newspaper, The Sun. "Today can be the day we get Brexit done."

The so-called "Super Saturday" Brexit extravaganza tops a frenetic week which saw Johnson confound his opponents by clinching a new Brexit deal only to find his Northern Irish allies oppose the deal he struck.

In a divided parliament where he has no majority and opponents are plotting maximum political damage ahead of an imminent election, Johnson must now win the support of 320 lawmakers to pass his deal through a booby-trapped legislature.

If he wins the vote, Johnson will go down in history as the leader who delivered a Brexit - for good or bad - that pulls the United Kingdom far out of the EU's orbit.

If he fails, Johnson will face the humiliation of Brexit unravelling after repeatedly promising that he would get it done -<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-agrees-brexit-deal-but-must-now-win-over-parliament-256575"> "do or die" - by October 31</a>.

Parliament will sit from 0830 GMT on Saturday. Johnson will make a statement to lawmakers, after which there will be a debate and then votes on amendments and finally - if all goes according to the government's plan - his deal.

'Get Brexit done'

Downing Street cast the vote as a last chance to get Brexit done with lawmakers facing the option of either approving the deal or propelling the United Kingdom to a disorderly no-deal exit that could divide the West, hurt global growth and trigger violence in Northern Ireland.

"Today we MPs (Members of Parliament) have the chance to free you from the never-ending Brexit saga and move this country forward," Johnson wrote. "In less than two weeks, on October 31, we would be out of the EU."

Johnson won the top job by staking his career on getting Brexit done by the latest deadline of October 31 after his predecessor, Theresa May, was forced to delay the departure date. Parliament rejected her deal three times, by margins of between 58 and 230 votes earlier this year.

To win the vote, though, Johnson must persuade enough Brexit-supporting rebels in both his own Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party to back his deal. His Northern Irish allies and the three main opposition parties oppose it.

And he must navigate a legislative jungle that his opponents are trying to booby trap with amendments that could wreck his path to Brexit.

One expelled Conservative lawmaker, Oliver Letwin, has proposed that the decision on whether to back a deal be deferred until all the legislation needed to implement the terms of the deal has been passed through parliament.

This proposal will be put to a vote at the end of Saturday's debate if selected by Speaker John Bercow. If the amendment is approved by parliament, Johnson's deal would not then be put to a vote on Saturday.

That would be major setback that would leave Brexit, yet again, up in the air as thousands of protesters demanding another referendum mass outside the railings of the 800-year-old parliament.

Aimed at preventing the United Kingdom from somehow dropping out of the EU without a deal, the Letwin move would in effect force Johnson to delay Brexit until all the laws needed to leave have passed through parliament's multi-stage approval process.

Even though Johnson believes this can be achieved by Oct. 31, others think it would need a short 'technical' delay.

A law passed by Johnson's opponents obliges him to ask the EU for a Brexit delay until Jan. 31 2020 unless he has secured approval for his deal by the end of Saturday.

"My aim is to ensure that Boris’s deal succeeds," Letwin said. "But that we have an insurance policy which prevents the UK from crashing out on 31 October by mistake if something goes wrong during the passage of the implementing legislation."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts his last-minute Brexit deal to a vote in an extraordinary sitting of the British parliament on Saturday, a day of reckoning that could decide the course of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson puts his last-minute Brexit deal to a vote in an extraordinary sitting of the British parliament on Saturday, a day of reckoning that could decide the course of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48 to be the first sovereign country to leave the European project, Johnson will try to win parliament's approval for the divorce treaty he struck in Brussels on Thursday. In a day of Brexit high drama, lawmakers convene for the first Saturday sitting since the 1982 Argentine invasion of the Falklands, while hundreds of thousands of people march to parliament demanding another referendum. Johnson cast the vote in parliament as the last chance to secure an orderly Brexit. Though he is obliged by law to seek a Brexit delay if his deal falls, Johnson said the United Kingdom would still leave on October 31. He didn't explain how. "There has been any number of false dawns. Deadlines for our departure have come and gone," Johnson, the face of the 2016 campaign to leave the EU, wrote in Britain's best selling newspaper, The Sun. "Today can be the day we get Brexit done." The so-called "Super Saturday" Brexit extravaganza tops a frenetic week which saw Johnson confound his opponents by clinching a new Brexit deal only to find his Northern Irish allies oppose the deal he struck. In a divided parliament where he has no majority and opponents are plotting maximum political damage ahead of an imminent election, Johnson must now win the support of 320 lawmakers to pass his deal through a booby-trapped legislature. If he wins the vote, Johnson will go down in history as the leader who delivered a Brexit - for good or bad - that pulls the United Kingdom far out of the EU's orbit. If he fails, Johnson will face the humiliation of Brexit unravelling after repeatedly promising that he would get it done - "do or die" - by October 31. Parliament will sit from 0830 GMT on Saturday. Johnson will make a statement to lawmakers, after which there will be a debate and then votes on amendments and finally - if all goes according to the government's plan - his deal. 'Get Brexit done' Downing Street cast the vote as a last chance to get Brexit done with lawmakers facing the option of either approving the deal or propelling the United Kingdom to a disorderly no-deal exit that could divide the West, hurt global growth and trigger violence in Northern Ireland. "Today we MPs (Members of Parliament) have the chance to free you from the never-ending Brexit saga and move this country forward," Johnson wrote. "In less than two weeks, on October 31, we would be out of the EU." Johnson won the top job by staking his career on getting Brexit done by the latest deadline of October 31 after his predecessor, Theresa May, was forced to delay the departure date. Parliament rejected her deal three times, by margins of between 58 and 230 votes earlier this year. To win the vote, though, Johnson must persuade enough Brexit-supporting rebels in both his own Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party to back his deal. His Northern Irish allies and the three main opposition parties oppose it. And he must navigate a legislative jungle that his opponents are trying to booby trap with amendments that could wreck his path to Brexit. One expelled Conservative lawmaker, Oliver Letwin, has proposed that the decision on whether to back a deal be deferred until all the legislation needed to implement the terms of the deal has been passed through parliament. This proposal will be put to a vote at the end of Saturday's debate if selected by Speaker John Bercow. If the amendment is approved by parliament, Johnson's deal would not then be put to a vote on Saturday. That would be major setback that would leave Brexit, yet again, up in the air as thousands of protesters demanding another referendum mass outside the railings of the 800-year-old parliament. Aimed at preventing the United Kingdom from somehow dropping out of the EU without a deal, the Letwin move would in effect force Johnson to delay Brexit until all the laws needed to leave have passed through parliament's multi-stage approval process. Even though Johnson believes this can be achieved by Oct. 31, others think it would need a short 'technical' delay. A law passed by Johnson's opponents obliges him to ask the EU for a Brexit delay until Jan. 31 2020 unless he has secured approval for his deal by the end of Saturday. "My aim is to ensure that Boris’s deal succeeds," Letwin said. "But that we have an insurance policy which prevents the UK from crashing out on 31 October by mistake if something goes wrong during the passage of the implementing legislation."

Brexit day of reckoning - parliament to vote on Boris Johnson's deal

Johnson faces a Brexit showdown with parliament on Saturday after clinching a last-minute divorce deal with the European Union that his Northern Irish allies and opposition parties, oppose.

UK Parliament to vote on Brexit Deal Today

What lies for India ahead of Brexit deal?

Brexit: A chance or challenge for India?

In yet another blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, British MPs on Saturday voted to delay a decision on Brexit deal, arguing they needed more time to study its contents before an October 31 deadline.

In yet another blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, British MPs on Saturday voted to delay a decision on Brexit deal, arguing they needed more time to study its contents before an October 31 deadline. Lawmakers backed an amendment which effectively forces the government to request an extension until January next year, while they scrutinised the proposed domestic legislation to enforce the deal with Brussels, reported news agency AFP. Meanwhile, Johnson has reiterated that he won't ask European Union to delay Brexit and vowed to stick to an October 31 Brexit deadline, He further said that he will put the bill on the deal to leave EU to MPs next week, in an attempt to avoid delay. He told parliament the "meaningful vote" on his divorce agreement with the European Union "has been voided of meaning" but added: "I will not negotiate a delay with the EU, and neither does the law compel me to do so." (With inputs from AFP)

British PM Johnson vows to stick to October 31 deadline after MPs vote to delay Brexit deal decision

UK PM Boris Johnson tables Brexit deal with EU. Watch video to know more.

UK PM Boris Johnson tables Brexit deal with EU

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-day-of-reckoning-parliament-to-vote-on-boris-johnsons-deal-256805">Brexit deal</a> offered a "new way forward" for Britain and the EU, as he urged MPs to vote for it in a rare weekend session of parliament.

He told lawmakers the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/heres-how-boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-is-different-from-theresa-mays-version-256727">divorce agreement</a> he struck this week in Brussels would be a "new way forward and a new and better deal both for Britain and our friends in the EU".

Johnson also warned against further delay to Britain's departure from the European Union, telling lawmakers there was "little appetite" for another extension.

He told parliament that "further delay is pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive to public trust", as MPs sat on a weekend for the first time in 37 years to debate his divorce agreement.

Britain's parliament sat on a Saturday for the first time in 37-years to debate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-scrambles-to-sell-brexit-deal-to-mps-256702">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a>'s Brexit deal to leave the European Union.

Johnson is currently making a statement to lawmakers, after which there will be a debate and then votes on amendments and finally - if all goes according to the government's plan - his deal.

Watch: Brexit - a chance or challenge for India?

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MPs will decide on the divorce deal struck with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/european-union-leaders-discuss-12-trillion-post-brexit-budget-256617">EU leaders</a> on Thursday, in a knife-edge vote that could see Britain out of the bloc on October 31. Parliament's last Saturday session was in 1982.

More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48 to be the first country to leave the European project, Johnson will try to win parliament's approval for the divorce treaty he struck in Brussels on Thursday.

Johnson depicted the vote as the last chance to secure an orderly&nbsp;Brexit. Though he is obliged by law to seek a&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;delay if his deal falls, Johnson said the United Kingdom would still leave on October 31. He didn't explain how.

The so-called&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;"Super Saturday" tops a frenetic week which saw Johnson confound his opponents by clinching a new&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;deal although his Northern Irish allies opposed it.

In a divided parliament where he has no majority and opponents are plotting maximum political damage ahead of an imminent election, Johnson must now win the support of 320 lawmakers to pass his deal.

If he wins the vote, Johnson will go down in history as the leader who delivered a&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;- for good or bad - that pulls the United Kingdom far out of the EU's orbit.

Should he fail, Johnson will face the humiliation of&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;unravelling after repeatedly promising that he would get it done - "do or die" - by October 31.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said his Brexit deal offered a "new way forward" for Britain and the EU, as he urged MPs to vote for it in a rare weekend session of parliament.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday said his Brexit deal offered a "new way forward" for Britain and the EU, as he urged MPs to vote for it in a rare weekend session of parliament. He told lawmakers the divorce agreement he struck this week in Brussels would be a "new way forward and a new and better deal both for Britain and our friends in the EU". Johnson also warned against further delay to Britain's departure from the European Union, telling lawmakers there was "little appetite" for another extension. He told parliament that "further delay is pointless, expensive and deeply corrosive to public trust", as MPs sat on a weekend for the first time in 37 years to debate his divorce agreement. Britain's parliament sat on a Saturday for the first time in 37-years to debate Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal to leave the European Union. Johnson is currently making a statement to lawmakers, after which there will be a debate and then votes on amendments and finally - if all goes according to the government's plan - his deal. Watch: Brexit - a chance or challenge for India? × MPs will decide on the divorce deal struck with EU leaders on Thursday, in a knife-edge vote that could see Britain out of the bloc on October 31. Parliament's last Saturday session was in 1982. More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48 to be the first country to leave the European project, Johnson will try to win parliament's approval for the divorce treaty he struck in Brussels on Thursday. Johnson depicted the vote as the last chance to secure an orderly Brexit. Though he is obliged by law to seek a Brexit delay if his deal falls, Johnson said the United Kingdom would still leave on October 31. He didn't explain how. The so-called Brexit "Super Saturday" tops a frenetic week which saw Johnson confound his opponents by clinching a new Brexit deal although his Northern Irish allies opposed it. In a divided parliament where he has no majority and opponents are plotting maximum political damage ahead of an imminent election, Johnson must now win the support of 320 lawmakers to pass his deal. If he wins the vote, Johnson will go down in history as the leader who delivered a Brexit - for good or bad - that pulls the United Kingdom far out of the EU's orbit. Should he fail, Johnson will face the humiliation of Brexit unravelling after repeatedly promising that he would get it done - "do or die" - by October 31.

Ahead of parliament vote on Brexit deal, Johnson says it is the 'new way forward for Britain and EU'

By Simon Usherwood

Against seemingly all the odds, we have a new Brexit deal. As an apparent vindication of UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s strategy to ramp up the threat of a no-deal departure from the EU and to force concessions from Brussels, one would imagine that Number 10 is rather happy right now. But that happiness will be tempered with caution because some major issues lie ahead.

Negotiations in Brussels have produced legal texts on arrangements for Northern Ireland and on the political declaration, which outlines the broad outline of what the two sides want from their future relationship. These are the product of months of planning by the British government, so it’s reasonable to ask what has actually changed since former prime minister Theresa May struck her original deal.

Reading the text, the first impression is that there’s much more that hasn’t changed than has.

Northern Ireland

The protocol on Northern Ireland and Ireland has long been in the firing line. It proposes a backstop arrangement that would keep Northern Ireland in close alignment with the EU unless and until both UK and EU agreed to change that.

On that front, the introduction of a section on “democratic consent” is an important shift on the EU side. This provides a mechanism for the Northern Ireland Assembly to vote on whether to maintain the provisions of the protocol, with a requirement to have cross-community support. That means the UK is now no longer subject to the EU’s approval if it wants to end the backstop arrangement.

That said, a voting requirement to have majorities from both unionist and nationalist groupings makes it very hard to achieve – especially since the Northern Ireland Executive broke down several years ago and is still not in operation. While the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) might control unionist voting, it can only do the same with nationalists if it creates a much more benign and cooperative environment. And even if that does happen and arrangements are voted down by Stormont, there is still a long phasing-out period, so things cannot move too quickly.

From the EU’s perspective, this arrangement provides a degree of security, mainly because any decision to overturn the system is not solely in the hands of the UK – which has not been the most reliable partner of late.

Customs arrangements

The other big change is on customs arrangements. Instead of creating a temporary customs area for the whole of the UK, the revised Protocol makes Northern Ireland a part of the UK’s customs territory. Because that would imply border controls, a rather convoluted system of custom duty collection is set out.

In essence, the system collects duties from businesses, dependent upon where goods are coming from and going to, with the possibility of various exemptions that will be agreed down the line.

It’s a much more complex system than before, but it does allow Johnson to argue that the entire UK is leaving the EU’s customs union, allowing it to benefit from any new trade deals that might be concluded.

Meanwhile, the political declaration, the main change is that the UK now suggests it is looking for a much looser future relationship, based on a free trade agreement, rather than anything that might include participation in the EU’s single market or customs union.

Less is more? 
 
While these are all noteworthy, they do represent only a very small part of the totality of the withdrawal agreement, as agreed by May last November. The Protocol still kicks into effect at the end of a transition period and the effect is still that Northern Ireland is kept very close to EU’s regulatory standards for many years. The future relationship remains as aspirational as May’s plans – until such a document is negotiated and ratified, by some future British government, no one can be sure what it will look like.

Nor did this negotiation touch on citizens’ rights, financial liabilities, the power of the EU’s courts to issue definitive rulings on matters of dispute (an important matter for hard Brexit supporters in the Conservative Party) or the institutional arrangements for managing all of this. Even as Number 10 goes into its selling mode, those continuities from last year’s text will be present in many people’s minds.

The plan still seems to be for the government to present this deal to the UK parliament in a special Saturday sitting on October 19. We already know that the DUP has issues with the revised text because it places Northern Ireland in a different legal position to the rest of the UK, so winning that vote looks even harder than it already did. The government will hope that it can present the deal to MPs as the last, best hope for a Brexit settlement – but, with wobbles from the DUP, Johnson will struggle to get close to a majority.

Even if he does, the potential to keep that majority together for the subsequent passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill looks even less likely. And remember that, as things stand today, this text isn’t even signed off by the 27 EU member states – there’s now not really enough time for them to digest and approve something that moves them off their previous position.

In short, this might still fall apart for Johnson, just as it did for May. 
 
(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-whats-in-it-and-how-is-it-different-to-theresa-mays-version-125446">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

(Simon Usherwood is Professor in Politics, University of Surrey)

By Simon Usherwood Against seemingly all the odds, we have a new Brexit deal. As an apparent vindication of UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s strategy to ramp up the threat of a no-deal departure from the EU and to force concessions from Brussels, one would imagine that Number 10 is rather happy right now.

By Simon Usherwood Against seemingly all the odds, we have a new Brexit deal. As an apparent vindication of UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s strategy to ramp up the threat of a no-deal departure from the EU and to force concessions from Brussels, one would imagine that Number 10 is rather happy right now. But that happiness will be tempered with caution because some major issues lie ahead. Negotiations in Brussels have produced legal texts on arrangements for Northern Ireland and on the political declaration, which outlines the broad outline of what the two sides want from their future relationship. These are the product of months of planning by the British government, so it’s reasonable to ask what has actually changed since former prime minister Theresa May struck her original deal. Reading the text, the first impression is that there’s much more that hasn’t changed than has. Northern Ireland The protocol on Northern Ireland and Ireland has long been in the firing line. It proposes a backstop arrangement that would keep Northern Ireland in close alignment with the EU unless and until both UK and EU agreed to change that. On that front, the introduction of a section on “democratic consent” is an important shift on the EU side. This provides a mechanism for the Northern Ireland Assembly to vote on whether to maintain the provisions of the protocol, with a requirement to have cross-community support. That means the UK is now no longer subject to the EU’s approval if it wants to end the backstop arrangement. That said, a voting requirement to have majorities from both unionist and nationalist groupings makes it very hard to achieve – especially since the Northern Ireland Executive broke down several years ago and is still not in operation. While the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) might control unionist voting, it can only do the same with nationalists if it creates a much more benign and cooperative environment. And even if that does happen and arrangements are voted down by Stormont, there is still a long phasing-out period, so things cannot move too quickly. From the EU’s perspective, this arrangement provides a degree of security, mainly because any decision to overturn the system is not solely in the hands of the UK – which has not been the most reliable partner of late. Customs arrangements The other big change is on customs arrangements. Instead of creating a temporary customs area for the whole of the UK, the revised Protocol makes Northern Ireland a part of the UK’s customs territory. Because that would imply border controls, a rather convoluted system of custom duty collection is set out. In essence, the system collects duties from businesses, dependent upon where goods are coming from and going to, with the possibility of various exemptions that will be agreed down the line. It’s a much more complex system than before, but it does allow Johnson to argue that the entire UK is leaving the EU’s customs union, allowing it to benefit from any new trade deals that might be concluded. Meanwhile, the political declaration, the main change is that the UK now suggests it is looking for a much looser future relationship, based on a free trade agreement, rather than anything that might include participation in the EU’s single market or customs union. Less is more? While these are all noteworthy, they do represent only a very small part of the totality of the withdrawal agreement, as agreed by May last November. The Protocol still kicks into effect at the end of a transition period and the effect is still that Northern Ireland is kept very close to EU’s regulatory standards for many years. The future relationship remains as aspirational as May’s plans – until such a document is negotiated and ratified, by some future British government, no one can be sure what it will look like. Nor did this negotiation touch on citizens’ rights, financial liabilities, the power of the EU’s courts to issue definitive rulings on matters of dispute (an important matter for hard Brexit supporters in the Conservative Party) or the institutional arrangements for managing all of this. Even as Number 10 goes into its selling mode, those continuities from last year’s text will be present in many people’s minds. The plan still seems to be for the government to present this deal to the UK parliament in a special Saturday sitting on October 19. We already know that the DUP has issues with the revised text because it places Northern Ireland in a different legal position to the rest of the UK, so winning that vote looks even harder than it already did. The government will hope that it can present the deal to MPs as the last, best hope for a Brexit settlement – but, with wobbles from the DUP, Johnson will struggle to get close to a majority. Even if he does, the potential to keep that majority together for the subsequent passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill looks even less likely. And remember that, as things stand today, this text isn’t even signed off by the 27 EU member states – there’s now not really enough time for them to digest and approve something that moves them off their previous position. In short, this might still fall apart for Johnson, just as it did for May. (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (Simon Usherwood is Professor in Politics, University of Surrey)

Here's how Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal is different from Theresa May’s version?

Britain and the European Union were on the verge of a last-minute Brexit deal on Wednesday but Prime Minister Boris Johnson still has work to do at home to ensure his government and factious parliament approve the plan.

"The basic foundations of this agreement are ready and theoretically we could accept a deal tomorrow," said European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair a summit of EU leaders, including Johnson, on Thursday and Friday.

However, Tusk said in comments broadcast by Polish broadcaster TVN 24 that "certain doubts have appeared from the British side", a reference to Johnson's need to win over politicians who fear he may have conceded too much.

French President Emmanuel Macron said an agreement was being finalised and hoped it could be approved on Thursday.

"I want to believe an agreement is being finalised and that we will be able to endorse it tomorrow," Macron said at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Toulouse.

Merkel said she believed slightly more that a deal was possible.

Any approval by the EU of a deal at their summit would be conditional on the British House of Commons backing it at a special sitting on Saturday. A short delay of Britain's October&nbsp;31 departure date would follow to polish the detail.

If Johnson fails to nail down the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union or fails to get a deal ratified in the UK house, he will almost certainly have to seek a longer extension of the departure date more than three years after the country voted in a referendum to leave.

After another day of technical talks in Brussels, EU officials said an agreement had been reached on customs arrangements for Northern Ireland, 'level playing field' provisions on labour and environment standards that the EU has insisted on to ensure fair competition under a new trade deal after Brexit.

That also went for the consent by the Northern Irish assembly renewable every four years to go on aligning the province's regulations with the EU ones after Brexit.

VAT was the only outstanding element, EU sources said, and a UK government source expected no further movement on Wednesday towards finalising the deal. The person said that there were issues holding up the deal both at home and with the EU.

While differences over the divorce between the world's fifth-largest economy and its biggest trading bloc had almost all been resolved, "overall backing from the British government" was still needed to seal an agreement, an EU diplomat said.

The main stumbling block remaining for Johnson appeared to be objections from a small Northern Ireland political party whose votes he must secure to get any deal through parliament.

Winning over the dup

The sticking point in the long-running talks with Brussels over Brexit, which has already been delayed twice, was the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland.

The conundrum for London was how to prevent the frontier becoming a backdoor into the EU's single market without erecting controls which could undermine the 1998 peace agreement that ended decades of conflict in the province.

It eventually proposed that Northern Ireland remain in the UK customs area. However, tariffs would apply on goods crossing from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland if they were deemed to be headed further, to Ireland and the bloc's single market.

To get a deal that hinges on this through parliament, where he does not have a majority, Johnson will likely need backing from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which says maintaining the United Kingdom's economic integrity is sacrosanct.

Pro-Brexit lawmakers from Johnson's governing Conservative Party say they will only back a deal if it has gained the support of the DUP, which fears Northern Ireland could be left behind in the EU's orbit when Britain leaves.

A central figure in the 2016 referendum who came to power as leader of the Conservative Party in July, Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on Oct. 31 with or without a deal.

But parliament has passed a law saying Britain cannot leave without one, and Johnson has not explained how he can get around that.

Emergency brexit summit ahead?&nbsp;

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said earlier on Wednesday that if an agreement cannot be reached before the summit, there was still time left to act before the Oct. 31 deadline.

"October 31 is still a few weeks away and there is the possibility of an additional summit before that if we need one ... Although time is running short, I am confident that (Ireland's) objectives can be met," he said.

Sterling was on a roller-coaster ride through the day as varying reports suggested a deal was nigh or pointed to last-minute hurdles.

Britain's Brexit minister, Steve Barclay, said he would not accept a delay beyond Oct. 31, even if it was only used to tie up the necessary legal requirements of an agreement. Extension options mulled by the EU range from an additional month to half a year or more.

If necessary, the bloc may hold an emergency summit later in October to either approve a deal, grant an extension or make final preparations for a chaotic split.

Britain and the European Union were on the verge of a last-minute Brexit deal on Wednesday but Prime Minister Boris Johnson still has work to do at home to ensure his government and factious parliament approve the plan.

Britain and the European Union were on the verge of a last-minute Brexit deal on Wednesday but Prime Minister Boris Johnson still has work to do at home to ensure his government and factious parliament approve the plan. "The basic foundations of this agreement are ready and theoretically we could accept a deal tomorrow," said European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair a summit of EU leaders, including Johnson, on Thursday and Friday. However, Tusk said in comments broadcast by Polish broadcaster TVN 24 that "certain doubts have appeared from the British side", a reference to Johnson's need to win over politicians who fear he may have conceded too much. French President Emmanuel Macron said an agreement was being finalised and hoped it could be approved on Thursday. "I want to believe an agreement is being finalised and that we will be able to endorse it tomorrow," Macron said at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Toulouse. Merkel said she believed slightly more that a deal was possible. Any approval by the EU of a deal at their summit would be conditional on the British House of Commons backing it at a special sitting on Saturday. A short delay of Britain's October 31 departure date would follow to polish the detail. If Johnson fails to nail down the terms of Britain's exit from the European Union or fails to get a deal ratified in the UK house, he will almost certainly have to seek a longer extension of the departure date more than three years after the country voted in a referendum to leave. After another day of technical talks in Brussels, EU officials said an agreement had been reached on customs arrangements for Northern Ireland, 'level playing field' provisions on labour and environment standards that the EU has insisted on to ensure fair competition under a new trade deal after Brexit. That also went for the consent by the Northern Irish assembly renewable every four years to go on aligning the province's regulations with the EU ones after Brexit. VAT was the only outstanding element, EU sources said, and a UK government source expected no further movement on Wednesday towards finalising the deal. The person said that there were issues holding up the deal both at home and with the EU. While differences over the divorce between the world's fifth-largest economy and its biggest trading bloc had almost all been resolved, "overall backing from the British government" was still needed to seal an agreement, an EU diplomat said. The main stumbling block remaining for Johnson appeared to be objections from a small Northern Ireland political party whose votes he must secure to get any deal through parliament. Winning over the dup The sticking point in the long-running talks with Brussels over Brexit, which has already been delayed twice, was the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The conundrum for London was how to prevent the frontier becoming a backdoor into the EU's single market without erecting controls which could undermine the 1998 peace agreement that ended decades of conflict in the province. It eventually proposed that Northern Ireland remain in the UK customs area. However, tariffs would apply on goods crossing from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland if they were deemed to be headed further, to Ireland and the bloc's single market. To get a deal that hinges on this through parliament, where he does not have a majority, Johnson will likely need backing from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which says maintaining the United Kingdom's economic integrity is sacrosanct. Pro-Brexit lawmakers from Johnson's governing Conservative Party say they will only back a deal if it has gained the support of the DUP, which fears Northern Ireland could be left behind in the EU's orbit when Britain leaves. A central figure in the 2016 referendum who came to power as leader of the Conservative Party in July, Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on Oct. 31 with or without a deal. But parliament has passed a law saying Britain cannot leave without one, and Johnson has not explained how he can get around that. Emergency brexit summit ahead? Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said earlier on Wednesday that if an agreement cannot be reached before the summit, there was still time left to act before the Oct. 31 deadline. "October 31 is still a few weeks away and there is the possibility of an additional summit before that if we need one ... Although time is running short, I am confident that (Ireland's) objectives can be met," he said. Sterling was on a roller-coaster ride through the day as varying reports suggested a deal was nigh or pointed to last-minute hurdles. Britain's Brexit minister, Steve Barclay, said he would not accept a delay beyond Oct. 31, even if it was only used to tie up the necessary legal requirements of an agreement. Extension options mulled by the EU range from an additional month to half a year or more. If necessary, the bloc may hold an emergency summit later in October to either approve a deal, grant an extension or make final preparations for a chaotic split.

Brexit deal at hand in Brussels, Boris Johnson struggles to win support at home

UK PM Boris Johnson tweeted that 'UK & EU agreed on a great new deal for Brexit'. But this deal still needs the approval of both UK & EU Parliament. European Union leaders reach Brussels for the make-or-break summit. The major showdown in the UK Parliament is on Saturday. Watch this video to know more.

Joint presser post EU summit meeting

UK PM Boris Johnson tweeted that 'UK & EU agreed on a great new deal for Brexit'. But this deal still needs the approval of both UK & EU Parliament. Let's listen to Boris Johnson...

Brexit: Deal done, biggest challange awaits

The British pound had a tumultuous session on Thursday as a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-johnson-says-great-new-deal-reached-on-brexit-256464">draft Brexit deal between London and Brussels</a> sparked both hope and scepticism in a volatile forex market.

Sterling soared to within a whisker of $1.30, striking five-month peaks, when news flashed across traders' screens that the European Union had reached a draft Brexit withdrawal deal with London.

The pound held on to most of those gains for a while, absorbing a bout of profit-taking, but then the currency plunged when it dawned on investors that there was no guarantee of UK parliamentary backing for the agreement.

"After the initial relief that the UK government and EU have done a deal, markets are worried that it still does not have enough support to get through parliament on Saturday," independent economist Julian Jessop told AFP.

By 1330 GMT, the currency was pretty much back to where it started from against the dollar.

'Still chance of no deal'

It is unclear how many of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative MPs will back the deal when he brings it to lawmakers for approval Saturday, and whether the opposition will try to vote it down or attempt to force a fresh referendum.

"There is still a chance for a no-deal Brexit – although the more likely scenario would be for the Prime Minister to follow the law and request the EU for a Brexit deadline extension, which then opens up more uncertainty," said Fawad Razaqzada at Forex.com.

Northern Ireland's DUP said Thursday it was "unable to support" the draft deal. A pre-emptive DUP announcement to the same effect issued before the draft deal had already weighed on sterling, before news from Brussels gave the currency wings, if not for long.

The London stock market, which usually moves in the opposite direction from sterling, enjoyed a rise Thursday, becoming the day's star performer in otherwise lacklustre European equity trading.&nbsp;

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index rose at the start of business.

Earlier in Asia, most markets ended in the red, with traders unable to take advantage of weak US retail data that raised the chances of another Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

Comments in the Fed's Beige Book update on the economy also pointed to a slowdown in the world's biggest economy.

Oil prices fell as data pointed to a sharp rise in US stockpiles that reinforced worries about the impact on demand from the China-US trade war and the global economic slowdown.

Key figures around 1330 GMT

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2831 from $1.2832 at 2100 GMT

Euro/pound: UP at 86.68 pence from 86.28 pence

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1124 from $1.1033&nbsp;

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 108.62 yen from 108.76 yen

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 7,223.88 points

Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.1 percent at 5,699.52

Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.6 percent at 12,740.91

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.2 percent at 3,606.10

New York - Dow: UP 0.3 percent at 27,078.39

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 percent at 22,451.86 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.7 percent at 26,848.49 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 2,977.33 (close)

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.7 percent at $59.03 per barrel

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.8 percent at $52.93

The British pound had a tumultuous session on Thursday as a draft Brexit deal between London and Brussels sparked both hope and scepticism in a volatile forex market.

The British pound had a tumultuous session on Thursday as a draft Brexit deal between London and Brussels sparked both hope and scepticism in a volatile forex market. Sterling soared to within a whisker of $1.30, striking five-month peaks, when news flashed across traders' screens that the European Union had reached a draft Brexit withdrawal deal with London. The pound held on to most of those gains for a while, absorbing a bout of profit-taking, but then the currency plunged when it dawned on investors that there was no guarantee of UK parliamentary backing for the agreement. "After the initial relief that the UK government and EU have done a deal, markets are worried that it still does not have enough support to get through parliament on Saturday," independent economist Julian Jessop told AFP. By 1330 GMT, the currency was pretty much back to where it started from against the dollar. 'Still chance of no deal' It is unclear how many of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative MPs will back the deal when he brings it to lawmakers for approval Saturday, and whether the opposition will try to vote it down or attempt to force a fresh referendum. "There is still a chance for a no-deal Brexit – although the more likely scenario would be for the Prime Minister to follow the law and request the EU for a Brexit deadline extension, which then opens up more uncertainty," said Fawad Razaqzada at Forex.com. Northern Ireland's DUP said Thursday it was "unable to support" the draft deal. A pre-emptive DUP announcement to the same effect issued before the draft deal had already weighed on sterling, before news from Brussels gave the currency wings, if not for long. The London stock market, which usually moves in the opposite direction from sterling, enjoyed a rise Thursday, becoming the day's star performer in otherwise lacklustre European equity trading. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones index rose at the start of business. Earlier in Asia, most markets ended in the red, with traders unable to take advantage of weak US retail data that raised the chances of another Federal Reserve interest rate cut. Comments in the Fed's Beige Book update on the economy also pointed to a slowdown in the world's biggest economy. Oil prices fell as data pointed to a sharp rise in US stockpiles that reinforced worries about the impact on demand from the China-US trade war and the global economic slowdown. Key figures around 1330 GMT Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2831 from $1.2832 at 2100 GMT Euro/pound: UP at 86.68 pence from 86.28 pence Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1124 from $1.1033 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 108.62 yen from 108.76 yen London - FTSE 100: UP 0.8 percent at 7,223.88 points Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.1 percent at 5,699.52 Frankfurt - DAX 30: UP 0.6 percent at 12,740.91 EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.2 percent at 3,606.10 New York - Dow: UP 0.3 percent at 27,078.39 Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 percent at 22,451.86 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 0.7 percent at 26,848.49 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 2,977.33 (close) Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.7 percent at $59.03 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.8 percent at $52.93

Pound goes on rollercoaster ride after Brexit draft deal

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