What are the key dates before the October Brexit deadline?

The three main party conferences are among a number of events coming up in the next few weeks, Ashley Cowburn writes

Boris Johnson arrives in Downing Street yesterday following his visit to Ireland (PA)

Parliament has now closed its doors to MPs for the next five weeks, after the Queen rubber stamped Boris Johnson’s request to prorogue parliament a fortnight ago.

The Brexit debate will continue to rage on in the coming weeks, as political parties prepare to host their annual conferences across the country.

There had been speculation that an early general election could result in the cancellation of this year’s conference season, but after Boris Johnson failed twice in his bid to go to the polls, the gatherings will kick off this weekend.

Liberal Democrat conference 14-17 September

First up, the unequivocally anti-Brexit Liberal Democrat party faithful will congregate in Bournemouth this weekend – the first conference with Jo Swinson as party leader. There has been speculation more MPs could join their ranks in the coming days, after ex-Tory Phillip Lee became the latest.

Labour conference – 21-25 September

In Brighton, Jeremy Corbyn will then open Labour’s annual conference – expect motions to be put forward on Brexit and climate change. The Labour leader could use the conference to tell Boris Johnson when his party believes a general election is viable.

UN General Assembly – 23-25 September

During the Labour conference, the prime minister will head to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. It will be the second time he meets with world leaders, following his debut on the world stage as prime minister at the G7 last month.

Conservative Party conference – 29 September–2 October

Mr Johnson will then head to Manchester for his first Conservative conference as Tory leader – his first chance to address party members since winning the leadership in July. Expect him to continue to insist Britain will be out of the EU by 31 October.

Queen’s speech – 14 October

Parliament will reopen its doors on 14 October following the suspension period – and the Queen will deliver a speech, setting out the government’s agenda for the coming year, on the same day. MPs will debate the contents of the speech before voting on the Queen’s speech later in the week.

European Council summit – 17 October

This will be a crucial showdown between Mr Johnson and the EU 27 – if indeed he is still prime minister by this point. He will have had to make a decision by this point on his future, and on his ability to deliver Brexit by 31 October.

Given MPs passed the Benn bill – ordering the prime minister to request an extension to Brexit if no deal is in place by 19 October – he may also be forced to delay Brexit until 31 January 2020.