Many journalists have repeatedly indicated that the Bill will take no deal "off the table", or that it will "legally block" no deal.
But that isn't right. /1
But unless the Council unanimously agrees to extend Article 50, the 31 Oct deadline remains, and the UK exits on that date, deal or no deal. /2
If those opposed to no deal want to rule out triggering a general election while no deal remains a possibility, simply getting the Benn Bill enacted is not enough. /3
It would only be safe to do so when (and if) the European Council had agreed to an extension. /5
To achieve no deal opponents' aim, the bar would have to be set at securing an extension.
The Bill, on its own, is not enough. /ends