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Johnson sends unsigned letter to EU asking for Brexit delay

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By Elizabeth Piper and Kylie MacLellan

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Simon Foston - That's because none of the pro-Brexit politicians had the faintest idea what to do next, the wording of the 2016 referendum being so vague as to be totally useless.

Useless to you perhaps. Maybe you are expecting the political parties to use the ramblings found on the internet as a guide for government action? It's the elected representatives of a so-called democracy who intend thwart the democratic will of the people who are responsible for undermining democracy.

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arrestpaulToday  08:12 am JST

Strangerland - Non-binding referendum.

And yet there has been an incredible amount of time, money, energy, and manpower spent dealing with a referendum that you consider non-binding.

That's because none of the pro-Brexit politicians had the faintest idea what to do next, the wording of the 2016 referendum being so vague as to be totally useless.

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you consider non-binding.

It's not a matter of opinion, but a fact. The referendum was not legally binding.

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Strangerland - Non-binding referendum.

And yet there has been an incredible amount of time, money, energy, and manpower spent dealing with a referendum that you consider non-binding. There has 3 (three) PM's since this "non-binding" vote has taken place, and those changes were brought about because of this "non-binding" referendum.  Apparently the Brits don't agree with your assessment.

A democratic people held a democratic vote, and the results were to leave the E.U.. The only reason that they haven't left the E.U. has been the devious delaying action of some MP's who have chosen to ignore the will of the voters.

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zichiToday  08:45 pm JST

I think that only applies after 15 years? Which includes me.

I think you know better than me but in any case it includes me too. So I find suggestions that I vote for the Brexit Party a bit laughable.

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Are you suggesting that the original referendum to leave the EU was not legally binding?

It wasn't.

Johnson is a lame duck PM, he's also putting himself in contempt of Court with the ridiculous letters he has sent.

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SerranoToday  06:36 pm JST

Better vote in the Brexit Party then...

Right, I'll just leave Japan and relocate to the UK so that I can vote. Did you actually know that British Citizens living overseas can't vote in UK elections?

if you want to save your country from the EU.

Not particularly. I'm not that interested in saving the UK from the EU and I don't think you are either. Brexit would be a "win" for your hero Mr. Trump, thus vindicating the rather creepy way you idolize him, and anything that destablised and weakened Western Europe would suit his dear pal Mr. Putin.

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Better vote in the Brexit Party then if you want to save your country from the EU.

Uk wont have to save themselves from the EU theyll have to save themselves from themselves, UK economy is going to take a big hit after Brexit, the free ride is over no more 0% tarriffs for UK exports to the EU. 60% of current UK manufacturing is sold to the EU, do you think Trump is going to buy up all that surplus. LOL

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because the Brexit party have no policies other than the one to leave the EU.

Less promises to break I suppose.

Only 36% of eligible voters voted for Brexit. Hardly the will of the people.

You need to be able to add 'who voted' on the end of this to make it relevant.

I think you mean the 36% (and shrinking) of the electorate.

The voting population is aging, and as we are often told that they are ones that voted for this then you could argue the opposite.

If Brexit is somehow avoided, it's just postponing the inevitable for another generation who will possibly be even less prepared. Britain was always destined to leave the EU, crack on with it.

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 Let the clock expire, and Britain is out of the EU,

Not Britain but the Post-Britain-Territories would be out of marmite, out of half of their grocery list...

Are you suggesting that the original referendum to leave the EU was not legally binding?

How could an impossible absurdity be binding ? 2 of the Nations very clearly voted remain. 2 voted leave. Which one is binding ? The leave or the remain ? Or each one goes where they want, NI reunifiying with Ireland and Scotland with Denmark ?

"dead in a ditch" 

So ? He's buried himself already ?

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Better vote in the Brexit Party then if you want to save your country from the EU.

What’s your take on the Brexit party’s policies regarding say, taxation, the NHS, education, defence, environment and energy?

Let us know and tell us why these are attractive policies.

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Are you suggesting that the original referendum to leave the EU was not legally binding?

Technically, not legally binding. You can argue that it was morality binding, however.

Remainers are currently defying the British people, whom they view with contempt.

Only 36% of eligible voters voted for Brexit. Hardly the will of the people.

The British people legally obligated Parliament to leave the EU by a specific date.

One statement, two errors. Parliament was neither obligated to leave or do so by a specific date. Did you not see the referendum question?

the British people should be merciless toward them

I think you mean the 36% (and shrinking) of the electorate. I think remain could put more on a march - younger, fitter, stronger.

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Parliament is sovereign. It can amend or revoke any law. It could vote to abolish the House of Lords or the monarchy. It can certainly ignore a referendum.

Better vote in the Brexit Party then if you want to save your country from the EU.

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There are now two choices: Let the clock expire, and Britain is out of the EU, or obtain a delay long enough to hold a general election, handing the British people an opportunity to deal with the Remainers. Remainers will shriek at either option, but what can they ultimately do? Nullify the popular vote?

Yep. Parliament is sovereign. It can amend or revoke any law. It could vote to abolish the House of Lords or the monarchy. It can certainly ignore a referendum.

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Enough time has passed between the last referendum to have a new one. Besides its quite clear the public was sleeping during the first one.

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Advocating vote after vote after vote until you get the result you like is an utterly destructive way to run a democracy.

I hear this argument a lot (sometimes referred to as a neverendum), but I don't buy it. Only a government can hold a referendum, and assuming the government was democratically elected, the electorate can vote for a different government if they don't want another referendum.

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Nullify the popular vote?

Non-binding referendum.

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After all if your so sure youd win an election you must be sure youd win a legally binding Brexit vote.

Are you suggesting that the original referendum to leave the EU was not legally binding? If so, there is very little else you can say that has any credibility. Advocating vote after vote after vote until you get the result you like is an utterly destructive way to run a democracy.

Remainers are currently defying the British people, whom they view with contempt. The British people legally obligated Parliament to leave the EU by a specific date. Remainers in Parliament have not yet found a way to nullify that vote, but they have used every possible means to delay Brexit, hoping to find a way to undo it. If these elitists force vote after vote until they get their preferred result, then declare the matter settled, the British people should be merciless toward them.

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This headline misses the most important point, and the article buries the lead in the fourth paragraph.

Johnson sent three letters, two of which undermined the letter asking for a delay. Johnson is playing to win by following the letter of the law. Britain should already be out of the EU. It's only capitulations to Remainer shenanigans that still have this drama playing out. The Benn Act said that the prime minister must send a letter, not that he must sign it or support it. Johnson met the requirement of the law and additionally made absolutely clear his prerogative as prime minister.

Remainers are utterly dishonest with their calls for delays. They've scuttled the deal that Johnson worked out after they forced him to work out a deal. It was as good of a deal as one could reasonably expect. Johnson didn't put any poison pills in the deal so that he could justify a Hard Brexit. From the Remainers, there is no interest in a deal of any kind. Remainers will vote down any deal, in defiance of the British people.

There are now two choices: Let the clock expire, and Britain is out of the EU, or obtain a delay long enough to hold a general election, handing the British people an opportunity to deal with the Remainers. Remainers will shriek at either option, but what can they ultimately do? Nullify the popular vote?

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Looks like they just might win -

but it pointless because the UK is leaving the EU, justy all depends on how much damage Boris can limit by doing it. No the US will never replace the EU as the UKs biggest trading partner , not unless Trump wants to give the UK zero tariffs across the board for all UK exports, LOL dont see that happening ever

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wtfjapan: Heres an idea maybe have an election with another Brexit vote at the same time ,that is legally binding. After all if your so sure youd win an election you must be sure youd win a legally binding Brexit vote.

Looks like they just might win -

Published Oct. 17, 2019

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/three-years-on-brexit-poll-puts-leave-ahead-by-8-points-pbwlctw7d

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Time for a general election, vote out the Remainer politicians, vote in the Brexit Party, leave the EU and get on with trade agreements with the U.S. and other countries.

What do you think of the policies of the Brexit Party?

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like other country in Europe , they will make a new fake referendum to cancel this brexit proclaiming that people want to stay in Europe. democracy...? yes buddy...

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Johnson had previously said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask for any extension to the

seems like another back down by Boris, but he didnt sign it so it didnt come from him LMFAO, got to love how real democracies actually make those in power comply with the laws.

Time for a general election, vote out the Remainer politicians, vote in the Brexit Party, 

they can have a election after the Brexit fiasco is over,

Heres an idea maybe have an election with another Brexit vote at the same time ,that is legally binding. After all if your so sure youd win an election you must be sure youd win a legally binding Brexit vote. Wonder if Boris would take the bait. lol

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Johnson had previously said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask for any extension to the Oct 31 deadline.

But he was compelled, by a law passed last month by opponents, to send a letter to the bloc asking to push back the deadline to Jan. 31 

Time for a general election, vote out the Remainer politicians, vote in the Brexit Party, leave the EU and get on with trade agreements with the U.S. and other countries.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

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