Britain’s Johnson to outlaw Brexit extension beyond 2020, setting up fresh cliff edge for no-deal

Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a big majority in last week’s election on a promise to take Britain out of the European Union by the end of January

But EU leaders have warned that his December 2020 deadline for subsequent trade negotiations to be complete is highly unlikely to be achieved

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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson poses with a hammer and a sign. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:04pm, 17 Dec 2019Updated: 6:13pm, 17 Dec 2019

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to pass a law guaranteeing that Britain’s Brexit transition period cannot run beyond the end of 2020, a source in his office said on Tuesday.

Johnson won a big majority in last week’s election on a promise to take Britain out of the ‘European Union by the end of January, followed by a transition period when London and Brussels negotiate a trade agreement.

European leaders have said the December 2020 deadline would be too tight to complete a comprehensive deal and the main opposition Labour Party says Johnson’s proposal could lead to a no-deal outcome.

“Last week the public voted for a government that would get Brexit done and move this country forward – and that’s exactly what we intend to do, starting this week,” a Downing Street source said.

A view across Westminster Bridge in central London. Photo: AFP

“Our manifesto made clear that we will not extend the implementation period and the new Withdrawal Agreement Bill will legally prohibit government agreeing to any extension.”

Johnson’s planned legislation will include legal text to prevent the government from delaying the day Britain stops being subject to EU laws, even if no new trade terms have been secured in time, an official said.