UK: MPs pass bill blocking Oct. 31 no-deal Brexit

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Britain’s House of Commons has passed a bill that blocks a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31 in a crucial vote Wednesday evening.

The opposition parties supported by more than 20 Tory rebels voted against the U.K.’s departure from the EU without a deal, which means for the government a new request for an extension from the EU if a deal can not be inked by the end of October.

327 MPs voted for the fast-tracked legislation, which still needs approval from the upper house and the Royal Ascend, while 299 MPs were rejecting it.

Johnson, who lost the working parliamentary majority after former minister Phillip Lee’s defection to Lib Dems and had to endure his first ever defeat in the House yesterday, said earlier that he would submit a motion for a snap election to be held on Oct. 14.