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Tuesday’s government defeat in the House of Commons by 328 votes to 301 cleared the way for the rebels’ European Union (Withdrawal) (No 6) Bill to be rushed through all its stages before the end of the week. The purpose of the Bill is to prevent a no-deal exit from the EU, though whether it would do that is not clear.
The Bill states that unless a deal is reached with the EU or Parliament approves a no-deal Brexit by October 19, the government would be required to write to the EU seeking an extension to the Art 50 period until 31 January 2020.
The Bill indicates the wording of the letter that the prime minister would be required to send to the EU, with the proviso that if the European Council agrees to an extension to 31 January 2020, the prime minister would immediately have to accept that extension. If the European Council agreed an extension to any other date, the prime minister
