U.K. opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn has told Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “obey the law” and request the European Union for a Brexit extension after lawmakers on Saturday voted to postpone a decision on whether to back a deal with the bloc.
“Boris Johnson’s deal has been defeated. He must now obey the law – there cannot be a No Deal crash out from the European Union,” the Labour Party leaders wrote on Twitter.
Boris Johnson’s deal has been defeated. He must now obey the law – there cannot be a No Deal crash out from the European Union.
And we must give the people the final say on Brexit. pic.twitter.com/0aTmNSXDEl
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 19, 2019
Earlier in the day, Corbyn said the new developments now gives MPs an “opportunity to scrutinise the government’s plans”.
The MPs voted 322-306 to withhold their approval until a legislation to implement the agreement is passed.
The vote may now force Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask the E.U. for a Brexit extension, a move he previously said he would “rather be dead in a ditch” than agree to do.
The latest move by the House of Commons is intended to ensure the U.K. cannot crash out of the E.U. without a deal on the scheduled October 31 departure date.
The government still hopes that it can pass the needed legislation by the end of the month to enable the U.K. leave on time.
Corbyn however said parliament’s vote result on Saturday blocked this.
“The prime minister must acknowledge that he will abide by the Benn Act and make sure we do not crash out with no-deal, therefore there has to be an application for an extension,” he said.
(With input from BBC)
