This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is embarking on a diplomatic mission to Berlin and Paris, amidst growing fears of a no-deal Brexit in two and a half months. The visits, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday respectively, are part of Johnson's efforts to secure a Brexit breakthrough.
Johnson's meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron come ahead of a two-day G7 summit in Biarritz, France, starting on Saturday. The summit is expected to be a key platform for Johnson to push for the EU to reopen negotiations over the terms of Brexit.
European leaders have repeatedly rejected reopening the Brexit accord agreed by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, last year. Despite Johnson's threats that the UK will leave the EU without an agreement on October 31, European leaders remain resolute in their stance.
As part of his Brexit strategy, Johnson has ordered the repeal of the European Communities Act, which took the UK into the EU 46 years ago. The order, signed by Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay on Friday, is set to take effect on October 31.
"This is a landmark moment in taking back control of our laws from Brussels," Barclay said in a statement. "This is a clear signal to the people of this country that there is no turning back -- we are leaving the EU as promised on October 31, whatever the circumstances -- delivering on the instructions given to us in 2016."
"This is a landmark moment in taking back control of our laws from Brussels," Barclay said in a statement. "This is a clear signal to the people of this country that there is no turning back -- we are leaving the EU as promised on October 31, whatever the circumstances -- delivering on the instructions given to us in 2016." As the UK hurtles towards a no-deal Brexit, opposition lawmakers are demanding that Johnson recall parliament to debate the issue. More than 100 lawmakers have signed a letter calling for the recall of the 650-seat House of Commons, citing the country's economic crisis and the need for parliament to be recalled now. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also called for a vote of no confidence in Johnson's government, seeking to take over as temporary prime minister and negotiate an extension to the UK's EU departure date. Meanwhile, a leaked government planning document has warned of food, fuel, and medicine shortages, as well as chaos at the UK's ports, in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
