What Happened: British lawmakers voted Oct. 19 to delay a vote on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal with the European Union, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Why It Matters: Parliament voted 322 to 306 to put off its decision on Johnson’s Brexit deal, effectively forcing the prime minister to ask the European Union for a delay to the United Kingdom’s scheduled Oct. 31 departure date. Johnson defiantly said he would not negotiate a further delay after Parliament’s vote. The delay gives lawmakers another chance to scrutinize — and possibly change — the terms of the United Kingdom’s Brexit departure.
Background: Johnson struck a Brexit deal this week with EU leaders. The ongoing Brexit debate has bitterly divided the United Kingdom since voters chose in a 2016 referendum to leave the European Union.
SOURCE: Worldview | Stratfor
