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@EuroBriefing makes a good point in the daily briefing this morning that I haven't heard often enough. It would not be enough for rebel MPs to force HMG to request an extension. The EU would need to be given a reason to grant it. With Johnson in no 10 it isn't clear there is one.
Presumably, in order to avoid a no deal Brexit, the request for an extension would need to be accompanied either by the ratification of the WA (and it seems unlikely Parliament will do that) or a timetable for a referendum (ditto) or a timetable for an election.
So, legislation to prevent no deal AND a no confidence vote would seem to be required. Are MPs up to the challenge?
And while I am at it, a couple of other questions/points occur to me. Such as: what if the EU grants an extension of x months so that an election can be held, and Johnson delays the election until after that period has expired?
Or, what if HMG reluctantly requests an extension, the EU grants one according to certain terms and conditions, and HMG rejects those T&C? In that case there would be no deal anyway.
The rebels might therefore want to require that HMG accepts whatever T&C the EU decides in order to forestall this possibility. Otherwise it might be too easy for Johnson to wriggle out of the situation. But you can see the counterarguments!
All a bit complicated. And not much time.
