This is according to the island’s Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, who said avoiding a “disorderly exit” from the EU was still a priority for Guernsey.
But because of the vote in Parliament blocking the ‘100mph timetable’ to discuss Brexit legislation, the UK’s default position is leaving with no deal on 31 October, so the island is going to continue to plan for that outcome, he said.
Following PM @BorisJohnson’s decision to pause the process of ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement, and in order to avoid a no-deal #Brexit, I will recommend the EU27 accept the UK request for an extension. For this I will propose a written procedure.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 22, 2019
“Given the votes in Westminster in the last week which have prevented the Withdrawal Agreement being approved in sufficient time, the EU27 acceding to the UK’s request for an extension, so avoiding a disorderly exit by the U.K. on 31 October would be in Guernsey’s interests,” Deputy St Pier said on Twitter.
Earlier in the evening, when the Commons made their vote to approve the Second Reading of the Brexit Deal, but blocked the timetable legislation. Deputy St Pier said: “Votes in Commons tonight means uncertainty continues. Unwelcome though that is, pending further developments in London and European Council, default remains that UK will leave on 31 October. Guernsey must therefore continue to plan for that outcome.”
In London, the next steps are for Boris to go back to the EU and ask for an extension. In the meanwhile, he has paused the debate on his successful deal, and is now expected to push for a general election, potentially ahead of Christmas.
Pictured top: Deputy Gavin St Pier.