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Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

Briefings

The UK Parliament can (probably) block a no-deal Brexit

13 August 2019

The Withdrawal Agreement seems dead in the water, and negotiations between the UK and EU have stalled. The UK Government is determined to leave the EU on 31 October, but could Parliament stop it?

The answer appears to be yes – probably. If a majority to prevent no-deal emerged in Parliament, there appear to be mechanisms that would allow them to achieve that objective.

This briefing examines how the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 works, discusses how an alternative government may be formed following a vote of no confidence, and considers other ways Parliament could legislate to avoid no-deal.

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