EU agrees to accept UK’s request to delay Brexit till January 31

European Council chief Donald Tusk, confirmed on Monday, October 28, that the 27-member bloc has agreed to accept the United Kingdom’s request to extend the Brexit deadline till January 31, 2020. “The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure,” said Tusk.

Read: UK Opposition Parties Suggest Dec 9 To Vote On Brexit Divorce Deal

House of Commons voted for delay

The Parliament had met for a special session to review the new Brexit deal, which was agreed by the European Union on October 17. In a major setback to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s push to leave the bloc by October 31, the House of Commons voted to delay the Brexit. It voted against Johnson’s demand to take only three days to review the 110-page Withdrawal Agreement.

Read: EU Meets To Decide Final Date For Brexit Extension, No Decision Taken

Johnson wants a new Parliament

The British PM said that he was ready to give more time to the lawmakers to review the European Union Withdrawal Bill on the condition that they agreed to hold the general elections on December 12. Johnson wrote to Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn saying that either the Parliament should get the Brexit done or a new Parliament should be elected.

“Given the situation, we must give the voters the chance to resolve this situation as soon as reasonably possible before the next deadline of 31 January,” wrote Johnson. “We cannot risk wasting the next three months then this farce being replayed with yet another delay in January 2020 and still no way for the country to move on,” he added.

EU in support of the UK's request

European Union members supported the British Parliament’s decision to ask for a Brexit delay in order to review the deal thoroughly. Tusk said that he had conveyed his reasons to British PM regarding his recommendation to accept the request for an extension. On October 17, Johnson and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker confirmed the new Brexit deal as the latter shared a letter written to Donald Tusk. In a tweet, Juncker said, “Where there is a will, there is a deal.” 

Read: France Wants Brexit To Happen, Not In Favour Of Another Extension

Read: UK: Boris Johnson Seeks December 12 Election 'to Get Brexit Done'