This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
On October 19, 2019, British lawmakers disrupted Boris Johnson's Brexit plan, sparking concerns about the country's future trade deals.
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party, warned that Johnson's deal would inevitably lead to a trade agreement with the United States, forcing the U.K. to diverge from the highest standards and expose its citizens to chemically-treated imports.
Johnson, a 55-year-old flamboyant politician and former mayor of London, faced a crucial moment in his bid to secure a Brexit deal. In a tone of gravity and conciliation, he spoke out against the inflammatory language he had previously used during parliamentary debates over Brexit.
Johnson's Conservative Party was likely to call a general election in the coming weeks, and a victory could fuel the party's momentum. However, a further delay could paint Johnson as a leader stymied by Brexit, much like his predecessor, Theresa May, who lost three thumping votes in Parliament on her Brexit agreement.
Johnson's deal differed from May's primarily in its treatment of the border issue in Northern Ireland. To avoid physical border checks, May opted to keep the entire United Kingdom in the European Union's customs union, which was unacceptable to hard-line Brexiteers. Johnson sought to satisfy them by keeping Northern Ireland subject to the bloc's rules in a practical sense, but legally outside it with the rest of Britain.
