MPs backed an amendment that compels the government to request a Brexit delay from the EU until all the legislation required to leave has been ratified.
Ambassadors from the 27 remaining EU countries are due to meet Sunday morning to discuss the result. EU leaders will be exasperated by what they see as yet more political instability in the U.K. They could refuse to grant an extension to negotiations but will be keen to avoid a no-deal Brexit and the uncertainty that could bring.
In a statement to the Commons following the defeat, Johnson sounded defiant. While a delay does make it much harder for the prime minister to deliver Brexit in time to meet his self-imposed deadline of delivering Brexit by October 31, defeats in parliament do play into Johnson's pitch to voters than he is trying to enact their wishes despite the efforts of those who wish to stop him.
“I will not negotiate a delay with the EU,” he said. “And neither does the law compel me to do so.”
He added: “I will tell our friends and colleagues in the EU exactly what I have told everyone in the last eight days that I have served as prime minister: that further delay will be bad for this country, bad for the European Union and bad for democracy.”[...]
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Related article on The Guardian: Johnson sends unsigned letter asking for delay, and second arguing against it
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Related article on The Guardian: EU would agree to Brexit delay, says German minister
Related article on The Financial Times: EU leaders react with frustration to Brexit decision delay
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