# Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to lead the UK but has resigned on July 7, 2022 **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 30, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872 "2019-07-30T14:24:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2019, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/722 "2019-10-18T10:18:15Z")
[Brexit extension unavoidable if MPs reject deal, says Merkel](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/18/brexit-extension-unavoidable-if-mps-reject-deal-says-merkel) > [@](#): > > During private EU summit talks on Brexit, the German chancellor told her fellow leaders they could not pretend an extension would not be offered to the UK if it was requested, according to a source familiar with the discussions. … > > Merkel also told Johnson not to tell the British public that EU leaders had ruled out an extension. So much for Juncker. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2019, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/723 "2019-10-18T11:37:32Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > unless of course you believe that lawmakers know better than the people who elect them. Not only is that what they were elected for, but don’t forget this parliament was elected since the referendum. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/724 "2019-10-18T12:09:13Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Not only is that what they were elected for, but don’t forget this parliament was elected since the referendum. Yes, this squabbling Parliament which hasn’t approved a single thing the minority Government tenuously hanging on to power has proposed. Parliament is deeply fractured because the country is deeply fractured. Anyone referring to “the will of the people” is glossing over some gaping chasms, and not just along simple Leave/Remain lines. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2019, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/725 "2019-10-18T13:18:44Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > [Brexit extension unavoidable if MPs reject deal, says Merkel](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/18/brexit-extension-unavoidable-if-mps-reject-deal-says-merkel) > > So much for Juncker. The BBC live feed has just [shared a tweet](https://twitter.com/adamparsons/status/1185179248937652225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1185179248937652225&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flive%2Fuk-politics-50094274) claiming Macron is against an extension. It will only take one nation to have run out of patience for the extension to be rejected. Another possibility is that this is an attempt to put pressure on the UK Parliament to accept the deal. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/726 "2019-10-18T13:46:51Z")
Varadkar has apparently said the same. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2019, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/727 "2019-10-18T13:56:58Z")
It seems that Johnson is winning over the ERG hardliners by claiming that if they vote for his deal there will be a no-deal Brexit by Dec 2020. With this deal, the UK will continue to follow almost all EU regulations and laws while a trade deal is being negotiated. If talks on a trade deal fail by Dec 2020, and the UK breaks off the talks instead of extending them for a few more years, then the UK can effectively exit with no deal. Apparently, the ERG is gullible enough to believe that Johnson won’t sell them out too… if he’s still PM by Dec 2020, that is. A year is a long, long time in politics. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/728 "2019-10-19T03:05:31Z")
Hell, a _week_ is an eternity these days in British politics. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/729 "2019-10-19T13:51:01Z")
Letwin amendment passes! Aye - 322 No - 306 ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/730 "2019-10-19T14:26:22Z")
So Parliament, just like with the “indicative votes” earlier in the year, refuses to actually _do anything_. Another vote to not actually do anything, after forcing this special sitting. It is far, far past time to stop delaying everything and _do something_. If they don’t, we will be out with no deal in 12 days. Surely no-one at this point can honestly believe there will be an extension? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/731 "2019-10-19T14:40:12Z")
Parliament really does believe that the EU would just dump em. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/732 "2019-10-19T18:20:19Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > It is far, far past time to stop delaying everything and _do something_. If they don’t, we will be out with no deal in 12 days. Surely no-one at this point can honestly believe there will be an extension? I think the EU will respond with an extension to 31/12/20 - the end of the notional transition period. It will be caveated with: no further extension will be granted, no further negotiations will take place and good luck, get your shit in order. (Will no doubt be proven hopelessly wrong in the next few hours, of course, but that’s the hellworld we now live in) ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/733 "2019-10-19T18:47:49Z")
While December 31 of next year is the end of the budget period it will take a few months to agree on the next budget. Since every country has a veto they don’t want the U.K. still a member when they try to pass the budget. So perhaps something like July 1 to September 1 of next year. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/734 "2019-10-19T21:16:55Z")
> [@](#): > > Boris Johnson will send a letter to the EU by 00:00 BST to request a Brexit delay - but he will not sign it, according to a Downing Street source. > > The request will be accompanied by a second letter, signed by Mr Johnson, which will say he believes that a delay would be a mistake, the source said. [From the BBC.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924) I think it’s unlikely, to put it mildly, that the EU will grant an extension against the wishes of the Government. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/735 "2019-10-19T21:24:15Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > [From the BBC.](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924) > > I think it’s unlikely, to put it mildly, that the EU will grant an extension against the wishes of the Government. But not against the wishes of parliament, which is the sovereign body here. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/736 "2019-10-19T21:30:11Z")
And he won’t sign the letter. What a fucking walking haystack disaster of a public school cunt he is. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/737 "2019-10-19T21:43:09Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > But not against the wishes of parliament, which is the sovereign body here. Parliament has consistenly refused to exercise that sovereignty, which is one of the main reasons we are in this stupid position. As they (still, unbelievably) have confidence in Johnson and his Government, he is in charge. > [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > And he won’t sign the letter. What a fucking walking haystack disaster of a public school cunt he is. Meh, he is doing exactly what he always said he would do. If he’s a public school cunt (I don’t really like class warfare so I won’t agree with the first two words being relevant), Corbyn and co are student politician wankers, and really need to learn, very very quickly, that they are playing with the grown ups now. Whether he signs the letter does not fucking matter. Whether we leave with no deal does, and unless Johnson is replaced in the next few days, that is exactly what will happen. Because, unlike Corbyn and others, Johnson is an experienced and talented politician, and very capable of leading and getting done what he wants. He’s not by any means a great leader, but he’s well above any other party leader at the moment - and unless Corbyn, Swinson and whoever is making decisions for the SNP at Westminster realise that and stop playing his games, the whole country will be fucked. I mean, we’d be fucked as well if Corbyn had control, but it would probably be slightly easier to fix that if we are still in the EU. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2019, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/738 "2019-10-20T03:53:48Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Boris Johnson will send a letter to the EU by 00:00 BST to request a Brexit delay - but he will not sign it, according to a Downing Street source. > > The request will be accompanied by a second letter, signed by Mr Johnson, which will say he believes that a delay would be a mistake, the source said… Five years ago you would never believe a political novel with this kind of incredible idiocy. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2019, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/739 "2019-10-20T05:39:55Z")
If a 14 year old acted like Johnson, you’d say he was immature for his age. Fortunately the EU isn’t playing games. They have noted the votes of parliament, and they are almost certain to grant an extension, however childishly requested. Parliament has ensured that the hard right now has no way to crash out with no deal at the end of the month. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2019, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/740 "2019-10-20T05:53:15Z")
Excellent and clear analysis of the situation by Ian Dunt: [Johnson defeated: It’s now a guerrilla war to stop his Brexit deal](https://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2019/10/19/johnson-defeated-it-s-now-a-guerilla-war-to-stop-his-brexit) ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2019, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/741 "2019-10-20T08:47:10Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Johnson is an experienced and talented politician, and very capable of leading Yer wot ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872.md?page=38)