Countdown to Brexit: key dates ahead
Britain is locked in political crisis heightened by the government's decision to suspend parliament
LONDON (AFP) - With just nine weeks left until Brexit, Britain is locked in a political crisis heightened by the government’s decision to suspend parliament.
Here are the key dates in what will be a momentous two months for the country ahead of its planned departure from the bloc:
September 3
Lawmakers return from their six-week summer recess with battles over Brexit set to culminate in parliament amid huge uncertainty over the terms of Britain’s divorce from the EU.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to leave with or without a deal on October 31, but a majority of MPs have previously signalled they are against a no-deal Brexit.
They are expected to mount a fresh bid to outlaw such a scenario as soon as they are back in Westminster, but the timing is extremely tight.
September 9-12
Queen Elizabeth II agreed Wednesday to suspend parliament -- a procedure known as "proroguing" -- in the second week of September, after Johnson requested she end the current session and reconvene MPs a month later.
The British premier claimed it was so he could roll out a "bold and ambitious domestic legislative agenda" but pro-EU lawmakers decried the move, arguing it allows less time to thwart his plans for a possible no-deal Brexit.
The precise date of suspension is up to the government and a debate is currently scheduled on legislation relating to Northern Ireland on September 9 so it seems likely that the suspension will occur after that.
September 14-October 2
Britain’s main political parties hold their annual conferences, which are this year likely to be dominated by discussions over Brexit.
Johnson, who only took over as Conservative leader in July -- automatically becoming prime minister -- will make his first appearance as party head at the Tories’ gathering in Manchester from September 29 to October 2.
October 14
Lawmakers will reconvene for a new parliamentary session with a speech by Queen Elizabeth II setting out the government’s legislative plans, which Johnson has said will focus on health and crime.
However, it is set to be consumed by Britain’s impending departure from the EU just over two weeks later, with a crunch vote possible on any Brexit deal newly-agreed with the EU.
October 17-18
The final European Council summit before the Brexit deadline will see leaders from across the 28-member bloc meet in Brussels.
The EU has insisted the withdrawal agreement struck with Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May cannot be renegotiated.
But the British premier is hoping the threat of a no-deal Brexit two weeks later will be enough to secure concessions to the deal that he can take back to London for parliamentary approval.
October 31
The deadline for Britain’s departure from the EU after more than four decades of membership.
Originally scheduled to leave on March 29, the country was twice forced to delay departure amid political deadlock in Westminster over the terms of Brexit.
