UK Parliament takes on pivotal day over Brexit

LONDON (AP) — Lawmakers returned from their summer recess Tuesday for a pivotal day in British politics as they challenged Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s insistence that the U.K. leave the European Union on October 31, even without a withdrawal agreement to cushion the economic blow.

Amid loud cries from protesters on the streets outside the House of Commons, the lawmakers turned to a key piece of legislation on their agenda that would prevent an immediate no-deal Brexit.

If it passes this week, Johnson’s Downing Street office said he’ll call an early election — taking his argument directly to the people.

Johnson, who became prime minister in July, has tried to crack down on members of his Conservative Party who oppose his Brexit plans, warning they would be expelled from the party if they supported the parliamentary efforts to block or delay the withdrawal.

The rebels, many of whom have been among the party’s lions for decades, are responding with acerbic commentary on TV, social media and the newspapers.

Dominic Grieve, who was attorney general in David Cameron’s government, says the expulsion threats demonstrate Johnson’s “ruthlessness.”

Former Cabinet minister Justine Greening said she feared her beloved party was “morphing into Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.”

Former Treasury chief Philip Hammond warned of the “fight of a lifetime” if officials tried to prevent him from running in the next election.

All three are opposing Johnson, with Hammond saying he expected a procedural vote to take control of business. If it passed, a vote to block a no-deal would be considered Wednesday.

A no-deal Brexit is considered dangerous because it will sever decades of seamless trade with Europe’s single market of 500 million people.

Economists warn that trade would be disrupted by tariffs and customs checks between Britain and the bloc.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.