'Flextension' agreed to by EU and referenced.....>

EU: 'Flextension' agreed to by EU and referenced in Council Pres. Tusk's tweet

means that the official date of the Art. 50 extension is until 31 Jan 2020, but

should the UK parliament pass the Withdrawal Act Bill and other relevant

legislation it can leave the EU before this date.

- This commitment could see the Lib Dems and SNP put forward their amendment to

Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (see bullet 0905GMT) that would allow for a Dec 9

election with just a simple majority vote as the amendment would override the

2/3 majority currently required under FTPA.

- The ball is now in the UK's court, with parties having to renew their

positions given the EU has agreed to extend Art. 50. 

- Conservatives still support Dec 12 election, but could potentially get behind

Lib Dem/SNP amendment. Labour position still unclear. Lib Dems and SNP for the

first time countenancing an election rather than a second referendum beforehand.