Boris Johnson tried to pull a stunt with his letter to the EU – 23 signature responses
On what the Trades Descriptions Act would probably object to being called Super Saturday, MPs attended an extraordinary weekend sitting of the House of Commons to debate and vote on the new Withdrawal Agreement. Unfortunately for Boris Johnson, his fellow Tory, Oliver Letwin, tabled an amendment designed to postpone approval of the Withdrawal Bill long enough to force Johnson to request an extension from the EU.
The Letwin Amendment passed, the government benches emptied faster than spaff up a wall, and the vote didn’t happen.
CORRECTION: The vote did happen, but “on the nod”.
There is a common misconception that the govt pulled the vote on Saturday. They did not. They just didn't bring the motion as amended to a division. It went through on the nod. The House decided something. I.e. Letwin, that there is no deal until WAB passes. That is big.
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) October 20, 2019
In any event, the letter was sent – technically …
1. Govt is sending three documents to the EU tonight – the 1st, the Benn Act extension letter, exactly as set out in law, but that PM has not personally signed; 2nd, a cover note from Sir Tim Barrow and the 3rd, a letter signed by the PM arguing that further delay is a mistake
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) October 19, 2019
The internet was both unimpressed and on its best game when it came to taking the piss.
Some people re-imagined the letter.
1.
EXCLUSIVE: Text of mysterious “second letter” to EU commissioners. pic.twitter.com/ZatN8ejRkZ
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) October 20, 2019
2.
BREAKING: Boris sends special photocopy of his letter to Parliament. pic.twitter.com/WCEVgoAMlP
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) October 20, 2019
3.
Letter 1. 'Dear Santa, may I have a geometry set for Christmas'.
Cover note. 'Dear Santa, our son took some persuading, but this is his wish'.
Letter 3. 'Dear Santa, No it isn't'.— Alastair Stewart (@alstewitn) October 19, 2019
There were other takes – so many other takes.
4.
Boris Johnson has sent a letter to the EU to request a Brexit delay – but without his signature.
Yes, EU folks, you're negotiating with a ten year old.
— Paul (@PaulOnBooks) October 19, 2019
5.
Hi @BorisJohnson, it looks like you’re writing a letter. Would you like help? pic.twitter.com/3J6ewhF5Xc
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) October 19, 2019
6.
Most fucking childish thing ever. pic.twitter.com/gl9KAdPSF0
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) October 19, 2019
7.
Boris Johnson, latest:
Said he was a proven winner ➡️ Lost vote after vote in Parliament
Said no Tory could ever support border in Irish Sea ➡️ Supports border in Irish Sea
Said he’d rather die in a ditch than ask for extension ➡️ Sent letter asking for extension
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) October 19, 2019
8.
Jim is reluctantly writing a note for the milkman because everybody insists that dry cornflakes are a bit boke even though Jim is reminding us we voted for cereal a few years ago what the f*** is going on this is mad
— The Irish Border (@BorderIrish) October 19, 2019
9.
“I sent the letter I swore I’d never send but I didn’t sign it because that way newspapers owned by the Barclay brothers, Rupert Murdoch, Viscount Rothermere & ((this still stuns me)) the Mirror Group can pretend I’m not a chiselling coward.”
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) October 19, 2019
10.
"sending the letter and not signing it" was brought to you by the producers of "if the teacher is more than 5 mins late we can go home" and "legally if ask for more sauce mcdonalds have to give you more sauce"
— joe (@mutablejoe) October 19, 2019
11.
Loses all his votes
“Careful he’s playing the long game”
Fires his majority
“underestimate him at your peril remainers”
Forced to beg for an extension
“You watch here comes the tricksy plan”
Sends a photocopy
“Truly we are in the presence of a Machiavellian fucking genius”
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) October 20, 2019
12.
“And what did you say?”
“I say I wouldn’t write the letter.”
“And what are going to do?”
“I’m going to go upstairs and write the letter.” pic.twitter.com/isrsagNWq1
— Hannah Al-Othman (@HannahAlOthman) October 20, 2019
