The Story
The UK's Parliament is taking some extra time off before Brexit.
Bold move taking a vacation with a looming deadline.
It wasn't Parliament's choice. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is committed to leaving the EU before Brexit kicks in on October 31 "do or die" – as in, whether he can get a deal he likes with the EU or not.
Remind me why a breakup deal is necessary? I've never needed one.
And how'd that go for you? In the UK's case, a deal could help it avoid trade and travel confusion when Brexit kicks in. Without a deal, the sudden exit from the EU could also lead to drug and food shortages.
So what's the alternative?
A deal former Prime Minister Theresa May reached with the EU. Parliament made it clear it didn't like it. Johnson's been trying to renegotiate some of the fine print. The EU doesn't seem to be having it. So yesterday, Johnson moved to shut down Parliament for a few more days by asking for a Queen's Speech.
Excuse me if I have no idea what that is.
It's tradition for the queen to give a speech every year or so declaring a new parliamentary session and laying out the government's agenda. By asking for the speech to happen in mid-October, Parliament will go from having about five weeks to figure out a Brexit strategy...to less than three.
Why would Johnson do that?
Parliament has delayed Brexit before – and Johnson doesn't want to give them the chance to do it again. Neither do pro-Brexit supporters, who are tired of waiting for lawmakers to deliver on the 2016 Brexit referendum.
But critics say...
That Johnson is making it harder for lawmakers to do their jobs, including getting to weigh in on a Brexit strategy. Some are calling the move "undemocratic."
So...what happens next?
It's not clear. Lawmakers really want to avoid a no-deal Brexit. They could try to call a no-confidence vote to replace Johnson's government. Or pass a law forcing him to request a Brexit delay. But the EU would need to sign off on a delay, anyway.
theSkimm
Brexit was already set to be the biggest political and economic shift for the UK in decades. Now, the Parliament shutdown makes a no-deal Brexit on Halloween more likely. Trick or treat.
Skimm This: Our latest podcast episode goes deeper into the queen's role amid all this drama.
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