Eighteen women serving in British Parliament said that they are not seeking election due to abuse threats and a culture of intimidation, New York Times reported on Monday.

"I am exhausted by the invasion into my privacy and the nastiness and intimidation that has become commonplace," Heidi Allen, a member of Parliament, wrote in a detailed letter to her constituents explaining why she will not be on the ballot.

"Nobody in any job should have to put up with threats, aggressive emails, being shouted at in the street, sworn at on social media, nor have to install panic alarms at home" she said.

The women are among 50 members of Parliament who will not stand in the election scheduled for December 12.

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dismissed the threats of violence as "humbug" during a parliamentary debate in September, a remark that was heavily criticized by other lawmakers, according to the Times.

The situation even prompted 72 female members of Parliament to sign a letter of solidarity to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who has spoken about the difficulty of public life in Britain.

"Although we find ourselves being women in public life in a very different way to you," the letter read, "we share an understanding of the abuse and intimidation which is now so often used as a means of disparaging women in public office from getting on with our very important work." 
&nbsp;

Eighteen women serving in British Parliament said that they are not seeking election due to abuse threats and a culture of intimidation, New York Times reported on Monday.

Eighteen women serving in British Parliament said that they are not seeking election due to abuse threats and a culture of intimidation, New York Times reported on Monday. "I am exhausted by the invasion into my privacy and the nastiness and intimidation that has become commonplace," Heidi Allen, a member of Parliament, wrote in a detailed letter to her constituents explaining why she will not be on the ballot. "Nobody in any job should have to put up with threats, aggressive emails, being shouted at in the street, sworn at on social media, nor have to install panic alarms at home" she said. The women are among 50 members of Parliament who will not stand in the election scheduled for December 12. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dismissed the threats of violence as "humbug" during a parliamentary debate in September, a remark that was heavily criticized by other lawmakers, according to the Times. The situation even prompted 72 female members of Parliament to sign a letter of solidarity to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who has spoken about the difficulty of public life in Britain. "Although we find ourselves being women in public life in a very different way to you," the letter read, "we share an understanding of the abuse and intimidation which is now so often used as a means of disparaging women in public office from getting on with our very important work."

18 Woman MPs to not seek re-election in British Parliament due to abuse

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-rejects-calls-for-no-deal-brexit-in-election-pitch-259559">Boris Johnson</a> pressed opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday to tell voters in next month's election whether he backs leaving the EU.

Johnson's main rival in the snap December 12 poll has struggled with defining his position on Brexit ever since Britons narrowly triggered the divorce in a 2016 referendum.

Labour's new official stance is to negotiate a more EU-friendly withdrawal agreement with Brussels and then let voters decide whether to back it or simply stay in the EU.

But Corbyn refuses to say whether he would then campaign for his own deal. Most top members in the party oppose Brexit and have said they would campaign to remain in the bloc.

Johnson's Conservatives are trying to seize on Labour's divisions on the defining issue of UK politics.

"Now the time has come for you to come clean," Johnson told Corbyn in a letter released by his office.

"Do you believe the results of the 2016 referendum should be respected and the UK should leave the EU?" Johnson asked.

"Would you commit to campaign for your 'deal' in a second <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-election-johnson-makes-fresh-bid-to-break-the-deadlock-258648">referendum</a>?"

Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Sarmer told BBC radio that letting Britons decide what to do about Brexit was a "practical way to break the impasse".

"It's not for the politicians... it's for the people to decide," Starmer said.

Starmer himself is one of the senior Labour members opposed to Brexit.

Corbyn was due to address supporters later Tuesday.

Labour is trailing the Conservatives by 11 percentage points in a poll of polls compiled by Britain Elects.

But the field also includes smaller pro-EU opposition parties that could potentially form a post-election coalition with Labour,&nbsp;if they ever agree on who should lead the government.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-prime-minister-boris-johnson-says-he-wants-early-election-on-december-12-258016">anti-Brexit</a> Liberal Democrats came in second in European Parliament polls in May that Britain was forced to take part in because of Brexit delays.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson will formally launch her party's campaign on Tuesday in London.

Her party is currently running in third place with around 18 per cent of the vote.

But she firmly refuses to back Corbyn,&nbsp;the official leader of the opposition, and wants to become prime minister herself.

The Brexit Party of populist Nigel Farage has 11 per cent and will pile pressure on Johnson during the campaign from the anti-European right.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pressed opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday to tell voters in next month's election whether he backs leaving the EU.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pressed opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday to tell voters in next month's election whether he backs leaving the EU. Johnson's main rival in the snap December 12 poll has struggled with defining his position on Brexit ever since Britons narrowly triggered the divorce in a 2016 referendum. Labour's new official stance is to negotiate a more EU-friendly withdrawal agreement with Brussels and then let voters decide whether to back it or simply stay in the EU. But Corbyn refuses to say whether he would then campaign for his own deal. Most top members in the party oppose Brexit and have said they would campaign to remain in the bloc. Johnson's Conservatives are trying to seize on Labour's divisions on the defining issue of UK politics. "Now the time has come for you to come clean," Johnson told Corbyn in a letter released by his office. "Do you believe the results of the 2016 referendum should be respected and the UK should leave the EU?" Johnson asked. "Would you commit to campaign for your 'deal' in a second referendum?" Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Sarmer told BBC radio that letting Britons decide what to do about Brexit was a "practical way to break the impasse". "It's not for the politicians... it's for the people to decide," Starmer said. Starmer himself is one of the senior Labour members opposed to Brexit. Corbyn was due to address supporters later Tuesday. Labour is trailing the Conservatives by 11 percentage points in a poll of polls compiled by Britain Elects. But the field also includes smaller pro-EU opposition parties that could potentially form a post-election coalition with Labour, if they ever agree on who should lead the government. The anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats came in second in European Parliament polls in May that Britain was forced to take part in because of Brexit delays. Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson will formally launch her party's campaign on Tuesday in London. Her party is currently running in third place with around 18 per cent of the vote. But she firmly refuses to back Corbyn, the official leader of the opposition, and wants to become prime minister herself. The Brexit Party of populist Nigel Farage has 11 per cent and will pile pressure on Johnson during the campaign from the anti-European right.

Boris Johnson presses election rival Jeremy Corbyn to explain Brexit stance

US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage to come together to safeguard prospects for expanded US-UK trade after Britain leaves the European Union.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage to come together to safeguard prospects for expanded US-UK trade after Britain leaves the European Union. Trump told reporters at the White House that both men were friends of his, but Johnson was "the right man for the time." Farage on Sunday said he would not run for a seat in parliament in Britain's snap December 12 election, focusing instead on campaigning against Johnson's EU divorce deal. The election was called because of an impasse in parliament over Brexit, more than three years after voters decided to leave the bloc. Asked which UK leader he supported, Trump said, "I like them both. I think Boris will get it right. They're both friends of mine. What I'd like to see is for Nigel and Boris to come together. I think that's a possibility." Trump said Britain's exit from the EU must be structured to facilitate continued trade between Britain and the United States. "We're far and away the No.1 economy in the world, and if you do it a certain way we're prohibited from trading with the UK," he said. "That would be very bad for the UK, because we can do much more business (than the) European Union." Trump first waded into Britain's election campaign last week, telling Farage in a radio interview that the leader of the left-wing opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, would be "so bad" for Britain if he wins. Trump also floated the idea that Johnson and Farage could combine forces, saying it could be "terrific." "If you and he get together it's, you know, unstoppable force," Trump told Farage in the interview. Farage responded by saying he would be "right behind" Johnson, on condition the prime minister dropped the Brexit divorce deal he struck with the European Union two weeks ago and instead went for a "clean break" Brexit without a deal. Trump also said Britain could do four to five times more trade with the United States, but might be prevented from doing a bilateral trade deal by the terms of the potential post-Brexit trade relationship that London and Brussels have set out.

Trump wades again into UK politics, tells Johnson, Farage to unite

Brexit figurehead <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eurosceptic-nigel-farage-urges-british-pm-to-listen-to-donald-trump-259384">Nigel Farage</a> will not stand in Britain's upcoming general election, in which his party is threatening to go head-to-head with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives, he announced Sunday.

"Do I find a seat, try and get myself into parliament? or do I serve the cause better traversing the length and breadth of the United Kingdom supporting 600 candidates -- I've decided that the last course is the right one," he told BBC's Andrew Marr.

Farage leads the Brexit Party, which formed earlier this year to fight the European parliamentary elections, emerging as the runaway winner.

He has been a harsh critic of the Brexit deal reached between Johnson and the EU and has promised to stand candidates in every constituency unless the Conservatives agreed an election pact, something the prime minister again ruled out on Sunday.

With the Tories relying on Brexit supporters to gain a majority on December 12, a strong showing by Farage's party threatens to split the Leave vote and open the door for the Labour party.&nbsp;

Farage appeared to be in little mood to compromise, putting a two-page advert in the Sunday Express declaring: "Boris' deal is not Brexit".

The former UKIP leader, who has campaigned against Britain's EU membership for decades, told Marr he had "thought very hard" about whether to run again to become an MP. &nbsp;

"It is very difficult... to be in a constituency every day and at the same time be out across the United Kingdom," he explained.

People "need to understand that, actually, what's on offer is a close linkage with all the European institutions, a next negotiating phase of at least three years," he added.

"So I'm going out across the country starting tomorrow."

During nearly three decades in public life, Farage has risen from a eurosceptic rabble-rouser on the fringes of British politics to a pivotal player who could make or break Brexit.

Farage, who has been a member of the European Parliament since 1999, has tried to become an MP on seven occasions, losing out each time.

Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage will not stand in Britain's upcoming general election, in which his party is threatening to go head-to-head with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives, he announced Sunday.

Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage will not stand in Britain's upcoming general election, in which his party is threatening to go head-to-head with Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives, he announced Sunday. "Do I find a seat, try and get myself into parliament? or do I serve the cause better traversing the length and breadth of the United Kingdom supporting 600 candidates -- I've decided that the last course is the right one," he told BBC's Andrew Marr. Farage leads the Brexit Party, which formed earlier this year to fight the European parliamentary elections, emerging as the runaway winner. He has been a harsh critic of the Brexit deal reached between Johnson and the EU and has promised to stand candidates in every constituency unless the Conservatives agreed an election pact, something the prime minister again ruled out on Sunday. With the Tories relying on Brexit supporters to gain a majority on December 12, a strong showing by Farage's party threatens to split the Leave vote and open the door for the Labour party. Farage appeared to be in little mood to compromise, putting a two-page advert in the Sunday Express declaring: "Boris' deal is not Brexit". The former UKIP leader, who has campaigned against Britain's EU membership for decades, told Marr he had "thought very hard" about whether to run again to become an MP. "It is very difficult... to be in a constituency every day and at the same time be out across the United Kingdom," he explained. People "need to understand that, actually, what's on offer is a close linkage with all the European institutions, a next negotiating phase of at least three years," he added. "So I'm going out across the country starting tomorrow." During nearly three decades in public life, Farage has risen from a eurosceptic rabble-rouser on the fringes of British politics to a pivotal player who could make or break Brexit. Farage, who has been a member of the European Parliament since 1999, has tried to become an MP on seven occasions, losing out each time.

Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage will not run to become MP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his failure to deliver <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-rejects-calls-for-no-deal-brexit-in-election-pitch-259559">Brexit</a> last week as he had promised was a "matter of deep regret", but his deal remained to only way to get Britain out of the bloc.

"The only way out of the EU now, the only way to get Brexit done, is to go with the deal that we've got," he told Sky News in an interview at the start of his campaign for next month's election.

On the day Britain was supposed to have left the European Union, voters instead faced the start of an election campaign, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledging to overthrow a "rigged system" he said was run by billionaires and tax dodgers.

After failing to deliver&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;by the October&nbsp;31 deadline, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the December&nbsp;12 election to break what he cast as a political paralysis that had thwarted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-defends-brexit-deal-after-trumps-trade-warning-259275">Britain's departure</a> and undermined confidence in the economy.

Opinion polls suggest the election is Johnson's to lose. His Conservative Party is leading Labour by 15 to 17 percentage points, according to Ipsos Mori and YouGov. Yet the overshadowing issue of&nbsp;Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

While&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;frames the election, with Labour pledging to hold a second referendum on it, it is being fought by two of the most unconventional British politicians of recent years who offer starkly different visions for the world's fifth-largest economy.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his failure to deliver Brexit last week as he had promised was a "matter of deep regret", but his deal remained to only way to get Britain out of the bloc.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his failure to deliver Brexit last week as he had promised was a "matter of deep regret", but his deal remained to only way to get Britain out of the bloc. "The only way out of the EU now, the only way to get Brexit done, is to go with the deal that we've got," he told Sky News in an interview at the start of his campaign for next month's election. On the day Britain was supposed to have left the European Union, voters instead faced the start of an election campaign, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledging to overthrow a "rigged system" he said was run by billionaires and tax dodgers. After failing to deliver Brexit by the October 31 deadline, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the December 12 election to break what he cast as a political paralysis that had thwarted Britain's departure and undermined confidence in the economy. Opinion polls suggest the election is Johnson's to lose. His Conservative Party is leading Labour by 15 to 17 percentage points, according to Ipsos Mori and YouGov. Yet the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations. While Brexit frames the election, with Labour pledging to hold a second referendum on it, it is being fought by two of the most unconventional British politicians of recent years who offer starkly different visions for the world's fifth-largest economy.

United Kingdom PM Johnson says his deal is only way to get Brexit done

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-election-campaign-kicks-off-on-no-brexit-day-259143">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> sparked an angry backlash from Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage on Saturday after he rejected calls to drop his Brexit deal and embrace a clean break from the European Union, potentially splitting the eurosceptic vote.

Johnson had previously pledged to take Britain out of the EU with or without a deal on October&nbsp;31, before lawmakers voted to force him to seek an extension until January&nbsp;31.

But he has abandoned the threat of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-defends-brexit-deal-after-trumps-trade-warning-259275">no-deal Brexit</a> in his Conservative Party's manifesto for the December&nbsp;12 election, the Times newspaper reported on Saturday. It added that the focus would be on getting his Brexit deal approved.

On Friday, Johnson rejected a call from the Brexit Party to drop the deal he negotiated with the European Union last month in order to form a new electoral pact, saying that he could put his deal through parliament after any election win.

"What we’ve got is a fantastic deal that nobody thought we could get," Johnson said. "As soon as we get back in the middle of December, we can put that deal through."

In Britain's tortuous journey since the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU, businesses and economists have cautioned that leaving the bloc without a deal to smooth the transition would deliver a big blow to the British economy.

Proponents of a no-deal Brexit say it provides a clean break from EU rules and regulations.

"If The Times are right and Boris Johnson will abandon a clean break Brexit, and he wins an election on this, we will never be free of EU rules," Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage said in a tweet.

"The deal is simply not Brexit and does not get Brexit done."

Farage on Thursday interviewed US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who said that Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour party, would be "so bad" for Britain.

On Saturday, Corbyn said Trump was entitled to his opinion but again warned of the dangers of a trade deal with the United States, saying it threatened Britain's public National Health Service, a claim Johnson and Trump both deny.

"The reality of no-deal is (heading) straight into the arms of Donald Trump. Straight into the arms of a free trade deal with the USA... and their desire to take over our public services," Corbyn said at a rally in Swindon, 70 miles west of London.

"We will not go down that path under any circumstances. Our public services, our national health service is not for sale, to Donald Trump or anybody else."

Both major parties face battles on at least three fronts: Against each other, with the hardline Brexit Party seeking to poach leave voters, and with the Liberal Democrats seeking to win over those who oppose Brexit altogether.

Opinion polls give Johnson a sizeable lead over Labour, but also suggest that more than 10% of voters back the Brexit Party - enough to split the pro-Brexit vote in some seats and hand victory to Labour.

The Conservative manifesto will also not include a commitment to a fiscal rule, the Times reported, relaxing the government's grip on public finances. The Conservative party did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The government's previous fiscal rule pledged to hold the underlying budget deficit below 2% of the country's economic output in the 2020/21 financial year.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked an angry backlash from Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage on Saturday after he rejected calls to drop his Brexit deal and embrace a clean break from the European Union, potentially splitting the eurosceptic vote.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked an angry backlash from Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage on Saturday after he rejected calls to drop his Brexit deal and embrace a clean break from the European Union, potentially splitting the eurosceptic vote. Johnson had previously pledged to take Britain out of the EU with or without a deal on October 31, before lawmakers voted to force him to seek an extension until January 31. But he has abandoned the threat of a no-deal Brexit in his Conservative Party's manifesto for the December 12 election, the Times newspaper reported on Saturday. It added that the focus would be on getting his Brexit deal approved. On Friday, Johnson rejected a call from the Brexit Party to drop the deal he negotiated with the European Union last month in order to form a new electoral pact, saying that he could put his deal through parliament after any election win. "What we’ve got is a fantastic deal that nobody thought we could get," Johnson said. "As soon as we get back in the middle of December, we can put that deal through." In Britain's tortuous journey since the 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU, businesses and economists have cautioned that leaving the bloc without a deal to smooth the transition would deliver a big blow to the British economy. Proponents of a no-deal Brexit say it provides a clean break from EU rules and regulations. "If The Times are right and Boris Johnson will abandon a clean break Brexit, and he wins an election on this, we will never be free of EU rules," Brexit Party Leader Nigel Farage said in a tweet. "The deal is simply not Brexit and does not get Brexit done." Farage on Thursday interviewed US President Donald Trump, who said that Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour party, would be "so bad" for Britain. On Saturday, Corbyn said Trump was entitled to his opinion but again warned of the dangers of a trade deal with the United States, saying it threatened Britain's public National Health Service, a claim Johnson and Trump both deny. "The reality of no-deal is (heading) straight into the arms of Donald Trump. Straight into the arms of a free trade deal with the USA... and their desire to take over our public services," Corbyn said at a rally in Swindon, 70 miles west of London. "We will not go down that path under any circumstances. Our public services, our national health service is not for sale, to Donald Trump or anybody else." Both major parties face battles on at least three fronts: Against each other, with the hardline Brexit Party seeking to poach leave voters, and with the Liberal Democrats seeking to win over those who oppose Brexit altogether. Opinion polls give Johnson a sizeable lead over Labour, but also suggest that more than 10% of voters back the Brexit Party - enough to split the pro-Brexit vote in some seats and hand victory to Labour. The Conservative manifesto will also not include a commitment to a fiscal rule, the Times reported, relaxing the government's grip on public finances. The Conservative party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The government's previous fiscal rule pledged to hold the underlying budget deficit below 2% of the country's economic output in the 2020/21 financial year.

UK PM Boris Johnson rejects calls for no-deal Brexit in election pitch

Anti-European populist Nigel Farage urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday to follow Donald Trump's advice and form a "non-aggression" pact with his Brexit Party in Britain's pre-Christmas general election.

The US president used a lengthy appearance on Farage's radio phone-in show Thursday to share his characteristically blunt views ahead of the December 12 snap poll.

"I know that you and (Johnson) will end up doing something that could be terrific if you and he get together as, you know, an unstoppable force," Trump told Farage.

Trump also warned Johnson Thursday that the terms of his EU divorce deal meant that "under certain aspect... you can't trade" with the United States.

The US president's unannounced intervention turned into top UK news and put Farage in the headlines just as he launched his party's official campaign in London.

It also threatened to hurt Johnson at the outset of a campaign that has huge implications for Britain's future place in Europe and the rest of the world.

Both Trump and Farage are deeply polarising figures in Britain who could hurt Johnson's chances with more moderate voters.

Johnson claims that his revised deal with Brussels will allow Britain to strike lucrative free-trade agreements with global giants such as China and the United States.

'Not interested in any pacts'

Johnson shot down Trump's trade warning, telling the BBC that his deal "enables us to do proper all-singing, all-dancing free-trade deals around the world" and dismissed talk of an alliance with Farage.

"The difficulty about doing deals with any other party is that any other party, I'm afraid, simply risks... putting Jeremy Corbyn into Number 10," he said.

But Farage seized on Trump's remarks and made several references to it at Friday's campaign event.

He urged Johnson to rip up his deal with Brussels and campaign with his Brexit Party for Britain to leave EU with no strings attached -- a prospect that frightens most businesses and the markets.

"If it was done, Boris Johnson really would get a really big majority. And on that manifesto, we really could get Brexit done -- in fact, to quote a friend of mine, we'd become an unstoppable force," Farage told his supporters.

Johnson has publicly resisted the idea of a tie-up with Farage.

The Brexit Party has seen its support slump to around 10 per cent from the 31 per cent it enjoyed when it won the largest share of British votes in European Parliament elections in May.

Targeting Labour voters

Farage argued that Johnson will need his help to win over Brexit-supporting voters who traditionally back Labour and reject the Conservatives for "cultural" reasons.

"It would be fair to say there are around about 150 seats in this country that are Labour Leave constituencies that the Conservative party has never, ever won in their history," he said.

"I think a deal of this kind would work, a non-aggression pact of this kind would work," Farage said, hoping that a clearer picture will emerge before election nominations close on November 14.

Johnson's minority government currently holds 298 seats in the 650-seat lower House of Commons, forcing it to rely on smaller parties and independents for support.

Polls show Johnson's Conservatives leading Jeremy Corbyn's Labour by a 35 to 25 per cent margin.&nbsp;

But Johnson is eyeing an outright majority to make pushing through his Brexit deal easier.

The Conservatives' old alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is in disarray because of sharp disagreement over the terms of Brexit deal.

The other smaller parties all back Europe and are more likely to try to form a coalition designed to stop Brexit.

Farage said there remained two weeks to put together a "leave alliance" but dismissed suggestions his party could split the anti-EU vote.

The party had the funding in place to "contest every single seat in England, Scotland and Wales" if Johnson turned him down.

"Please don't doubt we are ready," Farage said. "I hope that common sense prevails over the next new weeks."

Anti-European populist Nigel Farage urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday to follow Donald Trump's advice and form a "non-aggression" pact with his Brexit Party in Britain's pre-Christmas general election.

Anti-European populist Nigel Farage urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday to follow Donald Trump's advice and form a "non-aggression" pact with his Brexit Party in Britain's pre-Christmas general election. The US president used a lengthy appearance on Farage's radio phone-in show Thursday to share his characteristically blunt views ahead of the December 12 snap poll. "I know that you and (Johnson) will end up doing something that could be terrific if you and he get together as, you know, an unstoppable force," Trump told Farage. Trump also warned Johnson Thursday that the terms of his EU divorce deal meant that "under certain aspect... you can't trade" with the United States. The US president's unannounced intervention turned into top UK news and put Farage in the headlines just as he launched his party's official campaign in London. It also threatened to hurt Johnson at the outset of a campaign that has huge implications for Britain's future place in Europe and the rest of the world. Both Trump and Farage are deeply polarising figures in Britain who could hurt Johnson's chances with more moderate voters. Johnson claims that his revised deal with Brussels will allow Britain to strike lucrative free-trade agreements with global giants such as China and the United States. 'Not interested in any pacts' Johnson shot down Trump's trade warning, telling the BBC that his deal "enables us to do proper all-singing, all-dancing free-trade deals around the world" and dismissed talk of an alliance with Farage. "The difficulty about doing deals with any other party is that any other party, I'm afraid, simply risks... putting Jeremy Corbyn into Number 10," he said. But Farage seized on Trump's remarks and made several references to it at Friday's campaign event. He urged Johnson to rip up his deal with Brussels and campaign with his Brexit Party for Britain to leave EU with no strings attached -- a prospect that frightens most businesses and the markets. "If it was done, Boris Johnson really would get a really big majority. And on that manifesto, we really could get Brexit done -- in fact, to quote a friend of mine, we'd become an unstoppable force," Farage told his supporters. Johnson has publicly resisted the idea of a tie-up with Farage. The Brexit Party has seen its support slump to around 10 per cent from the 31 per cent it enjoyed when it won the largest share of British votes in European Parliament elections in May. Targeting Labour voters Farage argued that Johnson will need his help to win over Brexit-supporting voters who traditionally back Labour and reject the Conservatives for "cultural" reasons. "It would be fair to say there are around about 150 seats in this country that are Labour Leave constituencies that the Conservative party has never, ever won in their history," he said. "I think a deal of this kind would work, a non-aggression pact of this kind would work," Farage said, hoping that a clearer picture will emerge before election nominations close on November 14. Johnson's minority government currently holds 298 seats in the 650-seat lower House of Commons, forcing it to rely on smaller parties and independents for support. Polls show Johnson's Conservatives leading Jeremy Corbyn's Labour by a 35 to 25 per cent margin. But Johnson is eyeing an outright majority to make pushing through his Brexit deal easier. The Conservatives' old alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is in disarray because of sharp disagreement over the terms of Brexit deal. The other smaller parties all back Europe and are more likely to try to form a coalition designed to stop Brexit. Farage said there remained two weeks to put together a "leave alliance" but dismissed suggestions his party could split the anti-EU vote. The party had the funding in place to "contest every single seat in England, Scotland and Wales" if Johnson turned him down. "Please don't doubt we are ready," Farage said. "I hope that common sense prevails over the next new weeks."

Eurosceptic Nigel Farage urges British PM to listen to Donald Trump

On the day Britain was supposed to have left the European Union, voters instead faced the start of an election campaign, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledging to overthrow a "rigged system" he said was run by billionaires and tax dodgers.

After failing to deliver Brexit by the October&nbsp;31 deadline, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the December&nbsp;12 election to break what he cast as a political paralysis that had thwarted Britain's departure and undermined confidence in the economy.

Opinion polls suggest the election is Johnson's to lose. His Conservative Party is leading Labour by 15 to 17 percentage points, according to IpsosMORI and YouGov. Yet the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

While Brexit frames the election, with Labour pledging to hold a second referendum on it, it is being fought by two of the most unconventional British politicians of recent years who offer starkly different visions for the world's fifth-largest economy.

In his first major speech of the campaign, Corbyn said the election was a once-in-a-generation chance to overthrow what he cast as a corrupt elite which profited by exploiting workers, lying to the public and polluting the environment.

"Together, we can pull down a corrupt system and build a fairer country that cares for all," said Corbyn, a 70-year-old veteran socialist campaigner.

"Even if the rivers freeze over, we're going out to bring about real change for the many, not the few," Corbyn said.

Corbyn named prominent billionaires such as landowner Hugh Grosvenor, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, Ineos CEO Jim Ratcliffe, hedge fund manager Crispin Odey and US&nbsp;media tycoon Rupert Murdoch as representatives of Britain's "rigged system".

He proposed nationalisation of rail, mail and water services and higher taxes on the bankers who have made London the pre-eminent international financial capital.

Ashley, one of the businessmen targeted by Corbyn, hit back, saying the Labour leader was "not only a liar but clueless."

Health not Brexit?

The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has variously fatigued, enthused and enraged voters while eroding loyalties to the two major parties.

IpsosMORI said the Conservatives were on 41% with Labour on 24%. But that still leaves a third of the electorate up for grabs - and voter poaching could decide the final result.

The Liberal Democrats want to win over the opponents of Brexit while the Brexit Party is courting supporters of the divorce. The Brexit Party is expected to set out some of its strategy on Friday.

A five-year flurry of two historic referendums - on Scottish independence in 2014 and Brexit in 2016 - and two national elections in 2015 and 2017 have delivered often unexpected results that ushered in political crises.

Johnson will be aware that the Conservatives under his predecessor, Theresa May, were polling at about 50%, double that of Labour, ahead of the last election in 2017 but then went on to lost their majority in parliament, eventually winning under 2% more of the vote share than Labour.

Johnson, who has failed to deliver on his "do or die" promise that Britain would leave the EU on Oct. 31, is pitching the election as a chance to get Brexit done, and he will accuse Corbyn of threatening the United Kingdom's future.

He says Labour's plan to hold another referendum on Britain's membership of the bloc, and the possibility of Labour agreeing to another referendum on Scottish independence, risk ripping the United Kingdom apart.

"Today should have been the day that Brexit was delivered and we finally left the EU," Johnson said in pre-prepared remarks provided by his office.&nbsp;

Corbyn repeated his claim that Johnson intended to sell off Britain's National Health Service (NHS) to American companies as part of a post-Brexit trade deal with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

Johnson has denied any such intention. His party was on Thursday campaigning under the slogan: "Back Boris for more NHS funding."

Johnson, who has been described by the US&nbsp;president as Britain's Trump, will visit a school, hospital and police unit to argue that Britain needs to deliver Brexit so it can move on and focus on investing in public services. 
&nbsp;

On the day Britain was supposed to have left the European Union, voters instead faced the start of an election campaign, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledging to overthrow a "rigged system" he said was run by billionaires and tax dodgers.

On the day Britain was supposed to have left the European Union, voters instead faced the start of an election campaign, with opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn pledging to overthrow a "rigged system" he said was run by billionaires and tax dodgers. After failing to deliver Brexit by the October 31 deadline, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the December 12 election to break what he cast as a political paralysis that had thwarted Britain's departure and undermined confidence in the economy. Opinion polls suggest the election is Johnson's to lose. His Conservative Party is leading Labour by 15 to 17 percentage points, according to IpsosMORI and YouGov. Yet the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations. While Brexit frames the election, with Labour pledging to hold a second referendum on it, it is being fought by two of the most unconventional British politicians of recent years who offer starkly different visions for the world's fifth-largest economy. In his first major speech of the campaign, Corbyn said the election was a once-in-a-generation chance to overthrow what he cast as a corrupt elite which profited by exploiting workers, lying to the public and polluting the environment. "Together, we can pull down a corrupt system and build a fairer country that cares for all," said Corbyn, a 70-year-old veteran socialist campaigner. "Even if the rivers freeze over, we're going out to bring about real change for the many, not the few," Corbyn said. Corbyn named prominent billionaires such as landowner Hugh Grosvenor, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, Ineos CEO Jim Ratcliffe, hedge fund manager Crispin Odey and US media tycoon Rupert Murdoch as representatives of Britain's "rigged system". He proposed nationalisation of rail, mail and water services and higher taxes on the bankers who have made London the pre-eminent international financial capital. Ashley, one of the businessmen targeted by Corbyn, hit back, saying the Labour leader was "not only a liar but clueless." Health not Brexit? The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has variously fatigued, enthused and enraged voters while eroding loyalties to the two major parties. IpsosMORI said the Conservatives were on 41% with Labour on 24%. But that still leaves a third of the electorate up for grabs - and voter poaching could decide the final result. The Liberal Democrats want to win over the opponents of Brexit while the Brexit Party is courting supporters of the divorce. The Brexit Party is expected to set out some of its strategy on Friday. A five-year flurry of two historic referendums - on Scottish independence in 2014 and Brexit in 2016 - and two national elections in 2015 and 2017 have delivered often unexpected results that ushered in political crises. Johnson will be aware that the Conservatives under his predecessor, Theresa May, were polling at about 50%, double that of Labour, ahead of the last election in 2017 but then went on to lost their majority in parliament, eventually winning under 2% more of the vote share than Labour. Johnson, who has failed to deliver on his "do or die" promise that Britain would leave the EU on Oct. 31, is pitching the election as a chance to get Brexit done, and he will accuse Corbyn of threatening the United Kingdom's future. He says Labour's plan to hold another referendum on Britain's membership of the bloc, and the possibility of Labour agreeing to another referendum on Scottish independence, risk ripping the United Kingdom apart. "Today should have been the day that Brexit was delivered and we finally left the EU," Johnson said in pre-prepared remarks provided by his office. Corbyn repeated his claim that Johnson intended to sell off Britain's National Health Service (NHS) to American companies as part of a post-Brexit trade deal with US President Donald Trump. Johnson has denied any such intention. His party was on Thursday campaigning under the slogan: "Back Boris for more NHS funding." Johnson, who has been described by the US president as Britain's Trump, will visit a school, hospital and police unit to argue that Britain needs to deliver Brexit so it can move on and focus on investing in public services.

British election campaign kicks off on no-Brexit day

No Brexit, no worry: Britain kicks off election campaign

Britain will hold its first December election in almost a century after Prime Minister Boris Johnson won approval from parliament on Tuesday (October 28) for an early ballot aimed at breaking the Brexit deadlock.

Britain set for Dec. 12 election to break the Brexit deadlock

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions in the Parliament today. Watch this video to know more.

WION Dispatch: UK PM Boris Johnson takes questions in Parliament

UK PM Boris Johnson takes questions in Parliament

Britain Set for December 12 Election to Break the Brexit Deadlock. Watch video to know more.

Britain set for December 12 election to break Brexit deadlock

Britain could be heading towards its first December election in almost a century after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bet on breaking the Brexit deadlock with an early ballot gained support from opposition parties on Tuesday.

Britain could be heading towards its first December election in almost a century after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bet on breaking the Brexit deadlock with an early ballot gained support from opposition parties on Tuesday. As the European Union granted a third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29, the United Kingdom, its parliament and its electorate remain divided on how or indeed whether to go ahead with Brexit. Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October 31 "do or die", has repeatedly demanded an election to end what he casts as a nightmare paralysis that is sapping public trust in politicians by frustrating any Brexit outcome at all. After parliament refused Johnson his third demand for an election on Monday, he will try to force a bill through parliament on Tuesday that calls for a Dec. 12 election. It needs a simple majority in parliament. In a move that aligns the stars for an election after months of Brexit discord, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said he would back an election now the threat of Britain leaving the EU without a deal had been removed. "Whatever date the House decides the election will be, I'm ready for it, we're ready for it," Corbyn told parliament, adding that he supported allowing EU citizens with settled status and 16-17 year olds to vote. That is a step too far for the British government which said it would pull the election bill if opposition parties tried to change the electoral franchise before an election. The first Christmas election in Britain since 1923 would be highly unpredictable: Brexit has variously fatigued and enraged swathes of voters while eroding traditional loyalties to the two major parties, Conservative and Labour. Some politicians feel an election so close to Christmas could irritate voters, while campaigning and getting the vote out could be hampered by cold winter weather and darkness setting in by mid-afternoon. Ultimately, voters would have a choice between an emboldened Johnson pushing for his Brexit deal or a socialist government under Corbyn renegotiating the deal before another referendum. If no party wins conclusively, the Brexit deadlock would continue. Johnson said the House of Commons was obstructing Brexit and thus damaging the economy by preventing investment decisions, and corroding faith in democracy. "There is only one way to get Brexit done in the face of this unrelenting parliamentary obstructionism - this endless wilful fingers-crossed 'not me Guv' refusal to deliver on the mandate of the people - and that is, Mr Speaker, to refresh this parliament and give the people a choice," Johnson said. Protracted stalemate After four years of arguing over Brexit, almost all British politicians now agree an election is needed to break the cycle of inaction that has shocked allies of a country once considered a bastion of stable Western capitalism and democracy. An election, though, could decide the fate of Brexit as well as the main players - PM Johnson, 55, and his rival Corbyn, 70. When Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, bet on an early election in 2017, she lost her slender majority - a failure that ultimately prevented her from ratifying her Brexit deal in parliament and sank her political career. Johnson's Conservatives are ahead of Labour by an average of about 10 percentage points in polls this month, though pollsters underestimated the support for Brexit in 2016 and admit that the models they use are wilting beside the Brexit furnace. Both major parties face a fight on at least three fronts: The hardline Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage will seek to poach Brexit voters while the Liberal Democrats will seek to win over opponents of Brexit. "This will probably be the most unpredictable election I have ever known," Anand Menon, director of The UK in a Changing Europe, told Reuters. "Is it Brexit or is it not? We don't know. Second, the election is as volatile as ever and, thirdly, the potential for tactical voting - and tactical voting to go wrong - is very high given the Leave-Remain split," he said. Votes on votes Lawmakers on Tuesday approved the timetable for Johnson's "Early Parliamentary General Election Bill" without a formal vote. Two votes on the bill itself will take place from about 1730 GMT. Lawmakers could still bring significant amendments to Johnson's bill. Opposition parties are squabbling over which day in early December is best for an election. Johnson will cancel plans to hold a snap election if parliament votes to lower the voting age or allows European Union citizens to vote because this will mean a six-month delay, his political spokesman said. As Johnson moved closer to an election than he has ever been in his tumultuous three-month premiership, the EU granted a Brexit delay to Jan. 31 but warned it might be the last. "The EU27 has formally adopted the extension. It may be the last one. Please make the best use of this time," outgoing European Union chairman, Donald Tusk, said on Twitter. Among voters, there was some relief that the Brexit debate might be ending soon. "We've just got to bring this to some sort of resolution," commuter Matt Finch, 36, said outside London's Charing Cross rail station on Tuesday. "We've had many votes in the last 12 months in parliament and I think a general election might be a way to sort it all out."

Britain spins towards Christmas election in bid to break Brexit deadlock

Britain looked set Tuesday for a pre-Christmas election after the main opposition Labour party backed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's push for an early vote to try to overcome the lengthening political deadlock caused by Brexit.

Conservative leader Johnson -- overseeing a minority government -- is trying to lead Britain out of the deep crisis engulfing its EU departure that was meant to take place this Thursday.

But unable to get parliamentary support for his divorce deal with Brussels, he was forced to abandon his "do-or-die" pledge to leave the bloc on schedule and has begrudgingly accepted another extension until the end of January.

Britain's inability to break its half-century bond with the EU has halted costly "no-deal" exit preparations and reportedly seen freshly minted 50-pence commemorative Brexit coins melted down.

General elections have been held twice in the last four years -- in 2015 and 2017. The next is not scheduled to happen until 2022.

But Johnson has been trying to secure an early vote to try to win a majority to allow him to push through legislation to enact Brexit.

His third attempt to get parliament to agree to disband early and hold a general election on December 12 ended in failure on Monday after he fell well short of the required support of two-thirds of MPs.

But he was making a fresh bid for the same date on Tuesday using a different parliamentary procedure that would only require a simple majority.

He consulted his cabinet ministers to plot strategy in advance of another gruelling session of the lower House of Commons that could stretch into the night.

Johnson's new attempt amends existing laws requiring a two-thirds majority by proposing a simple bill with an election date.

"This house cannot any longer keep this country hostage," Johnson told lawmakers after they defeated Monday's election attempt.

- Date debate -

Johnson's election push received a big boost when the leader of the main opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, indicated his support.

Veteran socialist Corbyn has been torn between rival camps within his own party and is facing poor polling numbers that show the Conservatives in a strong lead.

He has argued he cannot back an election until Johnson promises not to take Britain out of the EU without a new trade deal when the post-Brexit transition period ends in December 2020.

Britain would be following EU rules until that time.

But he said the latest delay to Brexit agreed by EU leaders on Monday meant "for the next there months, our condition of taking no-deal off the table has now been met".

"We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen," he added.

The sides must now settle on an election date.

Johnson insists on December 12. A rival plan proposed by the pro-European Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party (SNP) proposes December 9.

The second option is also preferred by Labour.

Some in the party say the later date reduces the number of more liberal students voting because it comes after they finish their semesters and return home for the winter break.

Labour's trade spokesman Barry Gardiner told BBC radio "the first thing" for Johnson to do to get his party's backing was "to ensure that students are not going to be disenfranchised by an election on December 12".

Corbyn did not specify a date in his statement.

"It will be a December election," a Labour source told AFP.

The last election to be held in December was in 1923, when Labour's Ramsay McDonald lost to the Conservatives led by Stanley Baldwin.

The debate appears to be one of principle.

The SNP's parliamentary leader Ian Blackford urged Labour to not "be the handmaidens to the prime minister's Brexit" and to fight for the earlier date.

Johnson is mainly concerned about amendments that could be attached to his bill.

One proposed option would extend voting rights to EU citizens -- a group that strongly opposed Brexit.

Another would lower the voting age from 18 to 16.

 
&nbsp;

Britain looked set Tuesday for a pre-Christmas election after the main opposition Labour party backed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's push for an early vote to try to overcome the lengthening political deadlock caused by Brexit.

Britain looked set Tuesday for a pre-Christmas election after the main opposition Labour party backed Prime Minister Boris Johnson's push for an early vote to try to overcome the lengthening political deadlock caused by Brexit. Conservative leader Johnson -- overseeing a minority government -- is trying to lead Britain out of the deep crisis engulfing its EU departure that was meant to take place this Thursday. But unable to get parliamentary support for his divorce deal with Brussels, he was forced to abandon his "do-or-die" pledge to leave the bloc on schedule and has begrudgingly accepted another extension until the end of January. Britain's inability to break its half-century bond with the EU has halted costly "no-deal" exit preparations and reportedly seen freshly minted 50-pence commemorative Brexit coins melted down. General elections have been held twice in the last four years -- in 2015 and 2017. The next is not scheduled to happen until 2022. But Johnson has been trying to secure an early vote to try to win a majority to allow him to push through legislation to enact Brexit. His third attempt to get parliament to agree to disband early and hold a general election on December 12 ended in failure on Monday after he fell well short of the required support of two-thirds of MPs. But he was making a fresh bid for the same date on Tuesday using a different parliamentary procedure that would only require a simple majority. He consulted his cabinet ministers to plot strategy in advance of another gruelling session of the lower House of Commons that could stretch into the night. Johnson's new attempt amends existing laws requiring a two-thirds majority by proposing a simple bill with an election date. "This house cannot any longer keep this country hostage," Johnson told lawmakers after they defeated Monday's election attempt. - Date debate - Johnson's election push received a big boost when the leader of the main opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, indicated his support. Veteran socialist Corbyn has been torn between rival camps within his own party and is facing poor polling numbers that show the Conservatives in a strong lead. He has argued he cannot back an election until Johnson promises not to take Britain out of the EU without a new trade deal when the post-Brexit transition period ends in December 2020. Britain would be following EU rules until that time. But he said the latest delay to Brexit agreed by EU leaders on Monday meant "for the next there months, our condition of taking no-deal off the table has now been met". "We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen," he added. The sides must now settle on an election date. Johnson insists on December 12. A rival plan proposed by the pro-European Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party (SNP) proposes December 9. The second option is also preferred by Labour. Some in the party say the later date reduces the number of more liberal students voting because it comes after they finish their semesters and return home for the winter break. Labour's trade spokesman Barry Gardiner told BBC radio "the first thing" for Johnson to do to get his party's backing was "to ensure that students are not going to be disenfranchised by an election on December 12". Corbyn did not specify a date in his statement. "It will be a December election," a Labour source told AFP. The last election to be held in December was in 1923, when Labour's Ramsay McDonald lost to the Conservatives led by Stanley Baldwin. The debate appears to be one of principle. The SNP's parliamentary leader Ian Blackford urged Labour to not "be the handmaidens to the prime minister's Brexit" and to fight for the earlier date. Johnson is mainly concerned about amendments that could be attached to his bill. One proposed option would extend voting rights to EU citizens -- a group that strongly opposed Brexit. Another would lower the voting age from 18 to 16.

UK set for third election in four years to try to break Brexit gridlock

Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a fresh bid for an election to break the Brexit deadlock on Tuesday after nearly three-and-a-half years of wrangling in parliament that has left Britain's exit from the European Union in turmoil.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a fresh bid for an election to break the Brexit deadlock on Tuesday after nearly three-and-a-half years of wrangling in parliament that has left Britain's exit from the European Union in turmoil. As the European Union finalises a third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29, the United Kingdom, its parliament and its voters remain divided on how or indeed if to go ahead with Brexit. Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October 31, "do or die", has repeatedly demanded an election to end what he casts as a nightmare paralysis that is sapping public trust by preventing any Brexit outcome at all. After parliament refused Johnson his third demand for an election on Monday, he will try to force a bill through parliament on Tuesday that calls for a December 12 election. It needs a simple majority in parliament. "We will not allow this paralysis to continue and, one way or another, we must proceed straight to an election," Johnson told parliament on Monday. "This House cannot any longer keep this country hostage." Meanwhile, the legislation enacting Johnson's Brexit deal has been put on hold, pending an election, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who oversees the government's legislative agenda in the House of Commons, said. The first Christmas election in Britain since 1923 would be highly unpredictable: Brexit has variously fatigued and enraged swathes of voters while eroding traditional loyalties to the two major parties, Conservative and Labour. Ultimately, voters would have a choice between an emboldened Johnson pushing for his Brexit deal or a socialist government under Jeremy Corbyn renegotiating the deal before a referendum. If no party wins conclusively, the Brexit deadlock will continue. Christmas election? While almost all British politicians agree that an election is needed, Johnson's opponents want to inflict maximum political damage by preventing his last-minute deal from being ratified before the poll. Johnson, in turn, is trying to shift the blame for failing to deliver Brexit by October 31 on to parliament. Such is the lack of trust in parliament that lawmakers are squabbling about almost everything from the sequencing of Brexit to the date of the election. Behind the bickering, though, Johnson is closer to an election than he has ever been in his tumultuous 3-month premiership. Two opposition parties, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party, want an election on December 9. "We won't accept any jiggery-pokery from the prime minister," Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader, said. "Our vote certainly can't be taken for granted." Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said on Monday he would "consider carefully" legislation which locked in an election date. Johnson's Conservatives are ahead of Labour by an average of about 10 percentage points in polls this month, though pollsters underestimated the support for Brexit in 2016 and admit that the models they use are wilting beside the Brexit furnace. When Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, bet on a snap election in 2017, she lost her slender majority - a failure that ultimately prevented her from ratifying her Brexit deal and so sank her political career. In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 51.9 percent, backed leaving the EU while 16.1 million, or 48.1 percent, voted to remain.

Brexit election? Johnson makes fresh bid to break the deadlock

Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a fresh bid for an election to break the Brexit deadlock on Tuesday after nearly three-and-a-half years of wrangling in parliament that has left <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/european-union-agrees-in-principle-to-extend-brexit-258217">Britain's exit </a>from the European Union in turmoil.

As the European Union finalises a third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29, the United Kingdom, its parliament and its voters remain divided on how or indeed if to go ahead with Brexit.

Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October&nbsp;31, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-adamant-on-brexit-deadline-despite-delay-request-257170">"do or die"</a>, has repeatedly demanded an election to end what he casts as a nightmare paralysis that is sapping public trust by preventing any Brexit outcome at all.

After parliament refused Johnson his third demand for an election on Monday, he will try to force a bill through parliament on Tuesday that calls for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-pm-boris-johnson-calls-for-the-elections-on-12th-december-258032">December&nbsp;12 election</a>. It needs a simple majority in parliament.

"We will not allow this paralysis to continue and, one way or another, we must proceed straight to an election," Johnson told parliament on Monday. "This House cannot any longer keep this country hostage."

Meanwhile, the legislation enacting Johnson's Brexit deal has been put on hold, pending an election, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who oversees the government's legislative agenda in the House of Commons, said.

The first Christmas election in Britain since 1923 would be highly unpredictable: Brexit has variously fatigued and enraged swathes of voters while eroding traditional loyalties to the two major parties, Conservative and Labour.

Ultimately, voters would have a choice between an emboldened Johnson pushing for his Brexit deal or a socialist government under Jeremy Corbyn renegotiating the deal before a referendum.

If no party wins conclusively, the Brexit deadlock will continue.

While almost all British politicians agree that an election is needed, Johnson's opponents want to inflict maximum political damage by preventing his last-minute deal from being ratified before the poll.

Johnson, in turn, is trying to shift the blame for failing to deliver Brexit by October&nbsp;31 on to parliament.

Such is the lack of trust in parliament that lawmakers are squabbling about almost everything from the sequencing of Brexit to the date of the election.

Behind the bickering, though, Johnson is closer to an election than he has ever been in his tumultuous 3-month premiership.

Two opposition parties, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party, want an election on December&nbsp;9.

"We won't accept any jiggery-pokery from the prime minister," Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader, said. "Our vote certainly can't be taken for granted."

Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said on Monday he would "consider carefully" legislation which locked in an election date.

Johnson's Conservatives are ahead of Labour by an average of about 10 percentage points in polls this month, though pollsters underestimated the support for Brexit in 2016 and admit that the models they use are wilting beside the Brexit furnace.

When Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, bet on a snap election in 2017, she lost her slender majority - a failure that ultimately prevented her from ratifying her Brexit deal and so sank her political career.

In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 51.9 percent, backed leaving the EU while 16.1 million, or 48.1 percent, voted to remain.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes a fresh bid for an election to break the Brexit deadlock on Tuesday after nearly three-and-a-half years of wrangling in parliament that has left Britain's exit from the European Union in turmoil. As the European Union finalises a third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29, the United Kingdom, its parliament and its voters remain divided on how or indeed if to go ahead with Brexit. Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October 31, "do or die", has repeatedly demanded an election to end what he casts as a nightmare paralysis that is sapping public trust by preventing any Brexit outcome at all. After parliament refused Johnson his third demand for an election on Monday, he will try to force a bill through parliament on Tuesday that calls for a December 12 election. It needs a simple majority in parliament. "We will not allow this paralysis to continue and, one way or another, we must proceed straight to an election," Johnson told parliament on Monday. "This House cannot any longer keep this country hostage." Meanwhile, the legislation enacting Johnson's Brexit deal has been put on hold, pending an election, Jacob Rees-Mogg, who oversees the government's legislative agenda in the House of Commons, said. The first Christmas election in Britain since 1923 would be highly unpredictable: Brexit has variously fatigued and enraged swathes of voters while eroding traditional loyalties to the two major parties, Conservative and Labour. Ultimately, voters would have a choice between an emboldened Johnson pushing for his Brexit deal or a socialist government under Jeremy Corbyn renegotiating the deal before a referendum. If no party wins conclusively, the Brexit deadlock will continue. While almost all British politicians agree that an election is needed, Johnson's opponents want to inflict maximum political damage by preventing his last-minute deal from being ratified before the poll. Johnson, in turn, is trying to shift the blame for failing to deliver Brexit by October 31 on to parliament. Such is the lack of trust in parliament that lawmakers are squabbling about almost everything from the sequencing of Brexit to the date of the election. Behind the bickering, though, Johnson is closer to an election than he has ever been in his tumultuous 3-month premiership. Two opposition parties, the Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party, want an election on December 9. "We won't accept any jiggery-pokery from the prime minister," Ian Blackford, the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader, said. "Our vote certainly can't be taken for granted." Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said on Monday he would "consider carefully" legislation which locked in an election date. Johnson's Conservatives are ahead of Labour by an average of about 10 percentage points in polls this month, though pollsters underestimated the support for Brexit in 2016 and admit that the models they use are wilting beside the Brexit furnace. When Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, bet on a snap election in 2017, she lost her slender majority - a failure that ultimately prevented her from ratifying her Brexit deal and so sank her political career. In the June 23, 2016 referendum, 17.4 million voters, or 51.9 percent, backed leaving the EU while 16.1 million, or 48.1 percent, voted to remain.

Brexit election? Boris Johnson makes fresh bid to break the deadlock

UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson will push for an early election in the parliament today. European Union leaders will be meeting to discuss yet another Brexit delay. Watch this video to know more.

UK PM Johnson will push for an early election in parliament today

The European Union agreed to London's request for a Brexit deadline extension on Friday (October 25), a spokeswoman for the EU executive said, but set no new departure date, giving time for Britain's bitterly divided parliament to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for a snap election.

European Union agrees in principle to extend Brexit

The European Union agreed on Friday to London's request for a Brexit deadline extension but set no new departure date, giving Britain's divided parliament time to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for a snap election.

The European Union agreed on Friday to London's request for a Brexit deadline extension but set no new departure date, giving Britain's divided parliament time to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for a snap election. "There was full agreement on the need for an extension," an EU official said after ambassadors to the 27 countries staying in the bloc met to discuss postponing Britain's exit, less than a week before the current deadline of Oct. 31. "Work will continue over the weekend" and envoys will meet again in Brussels on Monday or Tuesday, the person said. A day after admitting that he will not meet his "do or die" deadline of Oct. 31, Johnson said it was up to the EU to decide on an extension. "Of course October 31 is still possible - we could leave on Oct. 31 - unfortunately it depends on what the EU says," he said, adding that if opponents frustrate his bid for an election on Dec. 12 his minority government would not engage in pointless "Brexitology" in parliament. The EU envoys had been due to discuss the length of a third delay to Brexit but diplomats decided to hold off to let events play out in London. One EU diplomat said France pressed the other 26 to wait and favoured a delay until Nov. 15 or Nov. 30 to keep pressure on the British parliament to approve Johnson's deal or face a disorderly Brexit. "Everyone wanted a decision today. But France had a problem with that and wanted to wait until Monday/Tuesday to see what happens in London," the diplomat said. A source close to French President Emmanuel Macron said: "France wants a justified and proportionate extension. However, we have nothing of the sort so far. We must show the British that it is up to them to clarify the situation and that an extension is not a given." Macron has previously managed to sway the bloc's extension decisions, meaning options range from two weeks to the three months - to Jan. 31, 2020 - requested by Johnson, or longer should it be clear that Britain is headed for an election. Any delay can only be granted unanimously and it could come as little as 60 hours before Britain is due to leave. Blank date According to a draft document seen by Reuters ahead of Friday's meeting, a delay was to be granted "with the view to allowing for the finalisation of the ratification" of the divorce agreement sealed with Johnson last week. The draft text left the Brexit date blank, but said the split could take place earlier if ratification was completed, an idea dubbed a flexible extension or "flextension". A two-tier delay was also on the cards, meaning one decision might come with two possible dates for Brexit, depending on if and when the deal is ratified. "This extension excludes any reopening of the Withdrawal Agreement," the draft decision said, reminding Britain it would remain a full, paying member state until it leaves and should not seek to stall EU decisions. The EU is intent on preventing the most damaging no-deal split, but it is also tired of the intractable divorce. A joke in that spirit was being shared among EU diplomats: "The year is 2192. The British prime minister visits Brussels to ask for an extension of the Brexit deadline. No one remembers where this tradition originated, but every year it attracts many tourists from all over the world." More than three years after Britons voted 52%-48% to be the first country to leave the European project, the future of Brexit is unclear and the country bitterly divided. Johnson won the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party in July with a pledge to get Brexit done by Oct. 31, but parliament's rejection of his timetable on Tuesday means he will fail to do that. His predecessor Theresa May resigned after parliament defeated her Brexit deal three times, forcing delays from an initial Brexit date of March 29. Johnson told opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn he would give parliament more time to approve his Brexit deal by Nov. 6 if lawmakers back a December election in a vote on Monday, his third attempt at forcing a snap poll. Corbyn replied he would wait to see what the EU does on a Brexit delay before deciding which way to vote, repeating that he could only back an election when the risk of a no-deal Brexit was off the table. It is not clear how Corbyn will respond now the EU has shelved its decision on a new Brexit date. A spokesman for Johnson said he would push ahead with plans to leave the EU if lawmakers reject a pre-Christmas election. Ladbrokes said betting odds indicated an election in 2020.

EU agrees Brexit extension but sets no date as UK squabbles over election

British PM Boris Johnson has been demanded the elections amid the Brexit chaos. He said that 'Brexit now or new Parliament later'. Watch this video to know more.

UK PM Boris Johnson calls for the elections on 12th December

The European Union looked set on Friday to delay a decision on Britain's request for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-boris-johnson-sends-unsigned-letter-seeking-brexit-delay-256989">Brexit extension</a> to give time for Britain's parliament to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for an election.

"I'd be surprised if we land today," said an EU official before ambassadors to the 27 other EU member states went into a meeting to discuss postponing Britain's departure from the bloc, less than a week before the current deadline of October&nbsp;31.

Separately, a senior EU official said the 27 may agree in principle to a delay but set no new date until after parliament's vote on Monday on whether to have a snap election on December&nbsp;12.

Johnson admitted on Thursday that he would not meet his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-adamant-on-brexit-deadline-despite-delay-request-257170">"do or die" deadline</a> of October&nbsp;31 and demanded a pre-Christmas poll to end what he cast as the "nightmare" of the Brexit crisis.

EU envoys to Brussels were due to discuss the length of a third delay to Brexit on Friday, though officials said they would be reluctant to set a date because it could dictate the direction of political events in London.

According to a draft decision by the 27, which was seen by Reuters on Thursday evening, a delay would be granted "with the view to allowing for the finalisation of the ratification" of the divorce agreement sealed with Johnson last week.

The draft text left the new Brexit date blank, but said the split could take place earlier if ratification was completed earlier - an idea known as "flextension", an amalgamation of the words "flexible" and "extension".

An EU official explained: "It's basically between a three-month flextension or a two-tier one."

Under the first idea, Britain would leave on Jan. 31, three months after the current departure date, but earlier if it and the EU raify an agreement before that. The second one would include a second specific date when Britain could leave.

Johnson won the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party to become prime minister in a minority government by staking his career on getting Brexit done by October&nbsp;31, but after parliament rejected his proposed legislative timetable on Tuesday he will fail to do that.

Brexit was initially supposed to have taken place on March 29 but Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, was forced to delay twice as parliament defeated her Brexit deal by margins of between 58 and 230 votes earlier this year. Her failure cost May her job.

Johnson said in a letter to opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday he would give parliament more time to approve his Brexit deal by Nov. 6 but lawmakers must on Monday back a December election, Johnson's third attempt to try to force a snap vote.

"Prolonging this paralysis into 2020 would have dangerous consequences," he said. "If I win a majority in this election, we will then ratify the great new deal that I have negotiated, get Brexit done in January and the country will move on."

Corbyn said he would wait to see what the EU decides on a Brexit delay before deciding which way to vote on Monday, repeating that he could only back an election when the risk of Johnson taking Britain out of the EU without a deal to smooth the transition was off the table.

It is not clear how Corbyn would respond if the EU makes no decision on a date on Friday.

The European Union looked set on Friday to delay a decision on Britain's request for a Brexit extension to give time for Britain's parliament to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for an election.

The European Union looked set on Friday to delay a decision on Britain's request for a Brexit extension to give time for Britain's parliament to decide on Prime Minister Boris Johnson's call for an election. "I'd be surprised if we land today," said an EU official before ambassadors to the 27 other EU member states went into a meeting to discuss postponing Britain's departure from the bloc, less than a week before the current deadline of October 31. Separately, a senior EU official said the 27 may agree in principle to a delay but set no new date until after parliament's vote on Monday on whether to have a snap election on December 12. Johnson admitted on Thursday that he would not meet his "do or die" deadline of October 31 and demanded a pre-Christmas poll to end what he cast as the "nightmare" of the Brexit crisis. EU envoys to Brussels were due to discuss the length of a third delay to Brexit on Friday, though officials said they would be reluctant to set a date because it could dictate the direction of political events in London. According to a draft decision by the 27, which was seen by Reuters on Thursday evening, a delay would be granted "with the view to allowing for the finalisation of the ratification" of the divorce agreement sealed with Johnson last week. The draft text left the new Brexit date blank, but said the split could take place earlier if ratification was completed earlier - an idea known as "flextension", an amalgamation of the words "flexible" and "extension". An EU official explained: "It's basically between a three-month flextension or a two-tier one." Under the first idea, Britain would leave on Jan. 31, three months after the current departure date, but earlier if it and the EU raify an agreement before that. The second one would include a second specific date when Britain could leave. Johnson won the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party to become prime minister in a minority government by staking his career on getting Brexit done by October 31, but after parliament rejected his proposed legislative timetable on Tuesday he will fail to do that. Brexit was initially supposed to have taken place on March 29 but Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, was forced to delay twice as parliament defeated her Brexit deal by margins of between 58 and 230 votes earlier this year. Her failure cost May her job. Johnson said in a letter to opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday he would give parliament more time to approve his Brexit deal by Nov. 6 but lawmakers must on Monday back a December election, Johnson's third attempt to try to force a snap vote. "Prolonging this paralysis into 2020 would have dangerous consequences," he said. "If I win a majority in this election, we will then ratify the great new deal that I have negotiated, get Brexit done in January and the country will move on." Corbyn said he would wait to see what the EU decides on a Brexit delay before deciding which way to vote on Monday, repeating that he could only back an election when the risk of Johnson taking Britain out of the EU without a deal to smooth the transition was off the table. It is not clear how Corbyn would respond if the EU makes no decision on a date on Friday.

EU likely to shelve Brexit delay as Britain squabbles over election

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday he would give parliament more time to scrutinise his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-delay-looms-after-uk-mps-demand-more-time-to-debate-deal-257603">Brexit plan</a> if it agrees to hold a snap general election on December 12.

He said if MPs really wanted more time to study his deal, "they can have it, but they have to agree on a general election on December 12", Johnson said in televised remarks.

EU member states on Wednesday delayed a decision on whether to grant Britain a three-month&nbsp;Brexit&nbsp;extension, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson said if the deadline is deferred to the end of January he would call an election by Christmas.

Johnson is opposed to delaying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-brexit-vote-eu-says-done-all-in-our-power-for-orderly-departure-257542">Britain's exit</a> from the European Union a third time.&nbsp;

But lawmakers on Tuesday also gave their support "in principle" for the agreement. It marked the first time the House of Commons had backed any Brexit proposal since the 2016 EU referendum.

The EU is expected to agree the length of a Brexit deadline extension on Friday.

At parliament's behest, Johnson has formally submitted a request for a three-month delay.

Johnson said Thursday that the only way to achieve a breakthrough in the process was for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-go-for-general-elections-if-parliament-refuses-to-allow-brexit-to-happen-johnson-257576">parliament to vote in favour of holding a general election</a>.

"The way to get Brexit done is, I think, to be reasonable with parliament and say if they genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it,&nbsp;but they have to agree on a general election on December 12," he said.

Watch: EU considers Brexit extension, Boris Johnson battles to save deal

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-considers-brexit-extension-boris-johnson-battles-to-save-deal-257370/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It's time, frankly, that the opposition summoned up the nerve to submit themselves to the judgement of our collective boss, which is the people of the UK."

Johnson must win the support of two-thirds of MPs in the House of Commons to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-next-after-uk-parliaments-votes-on-brexit-deal-257608">hold early polls</a> under current election rules.

The government could also try a different legal route that only requires a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote.

But such a proposal would be amendable and allow the opposition to either change the date or make the vote conditional on other issues.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday he would give parliament more time to scrutinise his Brexit plan if it agrees to hold a snap general election on December 12.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday he would give parliament more time to scrutinise his Brexit plan if it agrees to hold a snap general election on December 12. He said if MPs really wanted more time to study his deal, "they can have it, but they have to agree on a general election on December 12", Johnson said in televised remarks. EU member states on Wednesday delayed a decision on whether to grant Britain a three-month Brexit extension, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson said if the deadline is deferred to the end of January he would call an election by Christmas. Johnson is opposed to delaying Britain's exit from the European Union a third time. But lawmakers on Tuesday also gave their support "in principle" for the agreement. It marked the first time the House of Commons had backed any Brexit proposal since the 2016 EU referendum. The EU is expected to agree the length of a Brexit deadline extension on Friday. At parliament's behest, Johnson has formally submitted a request for a three-month delay. Johnson said Thursday that the only way to achieve a breakthrough in the process was for parliament to vote in favour of holding a general election. "The way to get Brexit done is, I think, to be reasonable with parliament and say if they genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it, but they have to agree on a general election on December 12," he said. Watch: EU considers Brexit extension, Boris Johnson battles to save deal "It's time, frankly, that the opposition summoned up the nerve to submit themselves to the judgement of our collective boss, which is the people of the UK." Johnson must win the support of two-thirds of MPs in the House of Commons to hold early polls under current election rules. The government could also try a different legal route that only requires a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote. But such a proposal would be amendable and allow the opposition to either change the date or make the vote conditional on other issues.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants early election on December 12

High-Pitch Brexit Drama continues as Brexit Bill on pause after Parliament rejects timetable. To know more watch the video

Brexit Chaos Continue: Lawmakers reject fast-track timetable

The pound extended losses Wednesday after Boris Johnson's failure to push through his Brexit deal fuelled fresh uncertainty, while Asian markets also ticked lower as investors took a step back after recent gains.

With everything quiet on the China-US trade talks, attention was on Westminster where Britain's prime minister finally got MPs to agree to his EU divorce pact, but minutes later lost a vote on a truncated debate that would have passed it in just three days.

The news means Johnson is unlikely to fulfil his pledge of leaving the European Union the October 31 deadline and raises the possibility of his calling a general election before the end of the year.

EU chiefs are now expected to recommend another extension to the withdrawal date, which analysts said the PM would blame on opposition lawmakers in the event of a national poll.

The prospect of another delay hit sterling, which fell as low as $1.2843 on Wednesday. The unit had earlier this week broken $1.30 for the first time in five months on hopes of averting a painful no-deal divorce. It was also lower against the euro.

"Getting a revised withdrawal agreement to this point and winning with a convincing margin... is an extraordinary achievement," said Stephen Innes, senior market analyst at AxiTrader.

"But with parliament rejecting PM Johnson's truncated timetable in favour of more time to debate the bill, it now means members will give the statute the fine-tooth comb treatment, opening it to more criticism suggesting it could be knocked down later."

- 'Endless' permutations - 
However, one observer pointed out that remarks from Johnson that he would drag Britain out of the EU with the deal come what may be significant.

"This could be an important, indeed key, shift in the government's position as it may indicate a willingness to extend and then seek to get the bill through Parliament," said Neil Wilson at Markets.com.

"My initial thoughts are that the government will let the EU offer the extension to get the bill through, and (Johnson) can square the circle later with amendments etcetera."

But he added that "the permutations remain nearly endless... Uncertainty prevails, but parliament has backed a deal and that feels like a key moment".

The news weighed on US markets, with all three main indexes ending down, and the losses seeped through to Asia.

Tokyo went into the break slightly lower as investors returned from a one-day holiday, while Shanghai slipped 0.1 per cent and Sydney shed 0.2 per cent.

Hong Kong was down 0.5 per cent, with traders keeping tabs on reactions to a Financial Times report saying China was drawing up a plan to remove the city's beleaguered chief executive after nearly five months of pro-democracy unrest.

Singapore fell 0.6 per cent and Seoul was off 0.3 per cent, while Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also well into the red.

Wellington tumbled two per cent, with major construction firm Fletcher Building hit by a massive fire at a&nbsp;$450 million convention centre it is building in the middle of Auckland.

Oil prices dipped after data indicated US stockpiles increased again last week, reinforcing worries about demand as the world economy slows.&nbsp;

The pound extended losses Wednesday after Boris Johnson's failure to push through his Brexit deal fuelled fresh uncertainty, while Asian markets also ticked lower as investors took a step back after recent gains.

The pound extended losses Wednesday after Boris Johnson's failure to push through his Brexit deal fuelled fresh uncertainty, while Asian markets also ticked lower as investors took a step back after recent gains. With everything quiet on the China-US trade talks, attention was on Westminster where Britain's prime minister finally got MPs to agree to his EU divorce pact, but minutes later lost a vote on a truncated debate that would have passed it in just three days. The news means Johnson is unlikely to fulfil his pledge of leaving the European Union the October 31 deadline and raises the possibility of his calling a general election before the end of the year. EU chiefs are now expected to recommend another extension to the withdrawal date, which analysts said the PM would blame on opposition lawmakers in the event of a national poll. The prospect of another delay hit sterling, which fell as low as $1.2843 on Wednesday. The unit had earlier this week broken $1.30 for the first time in five months on hopes of averting a painful no-deal divorce. It was also lower against the euro. "Getting a revised withdrawal agreement to this point and winning with a convincing margin... is an extraordinary achievement," said Stephen Innes, senior market analyst at AxiTrader. "But with parliament rejecting PM Johnson's truncated timetable in favour of more time to debate the bill, it now means members will give the statute the fine-tooth comb treatment, opening it to more criticism suggesting it could be knocked down later." - 'Endless' permutations - However, one observer pointed out that remarks from Johnson that he would drag Britain out of the EU with the deal come what may be significant. "This could be an important, indeed key, shift in the government's position as it may indicate a willingness to extend and then seek to get the bill through Parliament," said Neil Wilson at Markets.com. "My initial thoughts are that the government will let the EU offer the extension to get the bill through, and (Johnson) can square the circle later with amendments etcetera." But he added that "the permutations remain nearly endless... Uncertainty prevails, but parliament has backed a deal and that feels like a key moment". The news weighed on US markets, with all three main indexes ending down, and the losses seeped through to Asia. Tokyo went into the break slightly lower as investors returned from a one-day holiday, while Shanghai slipped 0.1 per cent and Sydney shed 0.2 per cent. Hong Kong was down 0.5 per cent, with traders keeping tabs on reactions to a Financial Times report saying China was drawing up a plan to remove the city's beleaguered chief executive after nearly five months of pro-democracy unrest. Singapore fell 0.6 per cent and Seoul was off 0.3 per cent, while Taipei, Manila and Jakarta were also well into the red. Wellington tumbled two per cent, with major construction firm Fletcher Building hit by a massive fire at a $450 million convention centre it is building in the middle of Auckland. Oil prices dipped after data indicated US stockpiles increased again last week, reinforcing worries about demand as the world economy slows.

Pound, Asian markets slip as Johnson Brexit bid fails again

European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday he will recommend EU leaders grant another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-go-for-general-elections-if-parliament-refuses-to-allow-brexit-to-happen-johnson-257576">Brexit extension</a>, hours after <a href="What next after UK parliament's votes on Brexit deal?">British MPs rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a>'s bid to force his divorce deal through parliament this week.

Tusk said he would advise the bloc's 27 other member states to accept a postponement request from the UK government, which Johnson was forced to submit Saturday under British law after he had failed to win lawmakers' backing for his new agreement.

However, earlier on Tuesday MPs gave their initial approval to legislation enacting the agreement struck with Brussels last week -- only to then block the British premier's timetable to pass it ahead of the latest October 31 date for Brexit.

Johnson immediately announced he would pause the process of trying to ratify the text -- the first that MPs have backed since the 2016 referendum -- while he consulted European Union leaders on a possible delay.

"Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson'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," Tusk said in a tweet.

France's European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said Paris was open to a "technical" Brexit extension of "several days" but ruled out reopening discussions to renegotiate the deal reached by the two sides.

Johnson won a significant victory when the House of Commons voted by 329 to 299 to approve in principle a bill that implements his Brexit deal.

But just minutes later, MPs rejected by 322 to 308 his timetable motion demanding they push through the bill in three days to allow Britain's departure at the end of this month.

Johnson reiterated his desire to stick to the October 31 date and said Britain would step up preparations in case of a disorderly "no-deal" exit. 
Ratifying the bill before October 31 would have allowed him to avoid a legally-mandated delay, which was set provisionally at three months but is open for EU leaders to amend.

With speedy ratification now in doubt, a postponement seems inevitable.

"I will speak to EU member states about their intentions," Johnson told MPs.

"Until we have reached a decision I will say, we will pause this legislation.

"Let me be clear — our policy remains that we should not delay, that we should leave the European Union on October 31. That is what I will say to the EU."

Ahead of the vote, Johnson warned he would seek an election to break the political deadlock, although this requires the support of the Labour party.

Blindside parliament

Johnson, a leading Brexit campaigner in the 2016 EU referendum, took office in July promising to deliver on the result come what may.

He defied expectations in striking a new divorce deal at a Brussels summit last month, and despite Saturday's setback, has now shown he has the numbers to get it through parliament.

But to stick to his Brexit deadline he needs to get the deal through in the next week -- and has no majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.

Opposition parties, many of whom dislike his divorce deal, said it was "ludicrous" to expect proper scrutiny of the legislation in less than three days.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has called for a second referendum on Brexit, said Johnson was trying to "blindside" MPs into supporting a "rotten bill".

The Democratic Unionist Party, Johnson's Northern Irish allies, accused him of duping them about new trading arrangements for the province. 
DUP MP Sammy Wilson said he "nearly choked" when he heard Johnson's assurances, adding: "The prime minister thinks I can't read the agreement."

EU 'will be ready'

The timetable motion was intended to ensure the House of Commons debated the bill quickly, allowing it to go onto the unelected upper House of Lords.

Johnson warned that seeking further time risked a "no-deal" exit if the EU refused a delay.

Businesses and markets on both sides of the Channel fear such a scenario, where Britain severs ties with its closest trading partner with no new plans in place after 46 years of integration.

The deal covers EU citizens' rights, Britain's financial settlements, a post-Brexit transition period until at least the end of 2020 and new trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

It also sets out vague plans for a loose free trade agreement with the EU after Brexit.

An earlier Brexit text agreed by Johnson's predecessor Theresa May was rejected three times by MPs earlier this year.

European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday he will recommend EU leaders grant another Brexit extension, hours after British MPs rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid to force his divorce deal through parliament this week.

European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday he will recommend EU leaders grant another Brexit extension, hours after British MPs rejected Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid to force his divorce deal through parliament this week. Tusk said he would advise the bloc's 27 other member states to accept a postponement request from the UK government, which Johnson was forced to submit Saturday under British law after he had failed to win lawmakers' backing for his new agreement. However, earlier on Tuesday MPs gave their initial approval to legislation enacting the agreement struck with Brussels last week -- only to then block the British premier's timetable to pass it ahead of the latest October 31 date for Brexit. Johnson immediately announced he would pause the process of trying to ratify the text -- the first that MPs have backed since the 2016 referendum -- while he consulted European Union leaders on a possible delay. "Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson'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," Tusk said in a tweet. France's European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said Paris was open to a "technical" Brexit extension of "several days" but ruled out reopening discussions to renegotiate the deal reached by the two sides. Johnson won a significant victory when the House of Commons voted by 329 to 299 to approve in principle a bill that implements his Brexit deal. But just minutes later, MPs rejected by 322 to 308 his timetable motion demanding they push through the bill in three days to allow Britain's departure at the end of this month. Johnson reiterated his desire to stick to the October 31 date and said Britain would step up preparations in case of a disorderly "no-deal" exit. Ratifying the bill before October 31 would have allowed him to avoid a legally-mandated delay, which was set provisionally at three months but is open for EU leaders to amend. With speedy ratification now in doubt, a postponement seems inevitable. "I will speak to EU member states about their intentions," Johnson told MPs. "Until we have reached a decision I will say, we will pause this legislation. "Let me be clear — our policy remains that we should not delay, that we should leave the European Union on October 31. That is what I will say to the EU." Ahead of the vote, Johnson warned he would seek an election to break the political deadlock, although this requires the support of the Labour party. Blindside parliament Johnson, a leading Brexit campaigner in the 2016 EU referendum, took office in July promising to deliver on the result come what may. He defied expectations in striking a new divorce deal at a Brussels summit last month, and despite Saturday's setback, has now shown he has the numbers to get it through parliament. But to stick to his Brexit deadline he needs to get the deal through in the next week -- and has no majority in the 650-seat House of Commons. Opposition parties, many of whom dislike his divorce deal, said it was "ludicrous" to expect proper scrutiny of the legislation in less than three days. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has called for a second referendum on Brexit, said Johnson was trying to "blindside" MPs into supporting a "rotten bill". The Democratic Unionist Party, Johnson's Northern Irish allies, accused him of duping them about new trading arrangements for the province. DUP MP Sammy Wilson said he "nearly choked" when he heard Johnson's assurances, adding: "The prime minister thinks I can't read the agreement." EU 'will be ready' The timetable motion was intended to ensure the House of Commons debated the bill quickly, allowing it to go onto the unelected upper House of Lords. Johnson warned that seeking further time risked a "no-deal" exit if the EU refused a delay. Businesses and markets on both sides of the Channel fear such a scenario, where Britain severs ties with its closest trading partner with no new plans in place after 46 years of integration. The deal covers EU citizens' rights, Britain's financial settlements, a post-Brexit transition period until at least the end of 2020 and new trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. It also sets out vague plans for a loose free trade agreement with the EU after Brexit. An earlier Brexit text agreed by Johnson's predecessor Theresa May was rejected three times by MPs earlier this year.

Brexit delay looms after UK MPs demand more time to debate deal

Britain's three-year Brexit saga took another dramatic twist on Tuesday, with the outcome still tortuously tough to predict.

In a landmark vote, MPs finally backed an EU divorce deal -- only then to reject Prime Minister Boris Johnson's rushed timetable to turn it into law ahead of the country's scheduled October 31 departure date. &nbsp;

The decision makes that deadline almost impossible to meet, but it does not kill the deal — the first that has got a majority in parliament.&nbsp;

Here are the possible scenarios ahead:

Technical extension?

Legislation passed last month stated that unless MPs backed a divorce deal by October 19, Johnson must write to EU leaders asking for Brexit to be postponed for three months to January 31, 2020.

The prime minister reluctantly sent the letter late on Saturday, and EU leaders are still considering their response.

European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday following the drama in Westminster that he was now recommending they accept the request.

Johnson had earlier told lawmakers who had just defied his bid to fast-track his deal through parliament that he would "pause" the ratification process while the EU decides on an extension.

Although he insisted Britain should still leave on October 31, he may have little choice but to accept a short "technical" delay to allow for a new parliamentary timetable to pass the legislation in the coming weeks.

Longer delay?

Despite Johnson being adamant he will not delay Brexit for months, the EU may also offer Britain the option of a longer extension -- which opposition MPs argue the premier would be compelled by law to accept.

European leaders could claim a longer delay is necessary to give the country enough time to resolve the issue.

Legislation of this type would normally take months and must be approved again by the House of Commons as well as by the upper House of Lords.

There is a real risk MPs could try to hijack its passage and attach various amendments, for example to make approval subject to negotiating a future customs union with the bloc or even to hold a new referendum.

A longer delay could also allow for a general election.

'No-deal' Brexit?

The default legal position is that Britain leaves the EU on October 31 unless the other 27 member states agree to a delay.

Business and markets across Europe fear the shock of a sudden Brexit that even the government's own assessment says would cause economic damage, raising the chances that the EU will offer an extension.

Despite EU leaders claiming they would never cause a no-deal Brexit, their decision to offer a delay must be unanimous and any one of the 27 member states could block such a move.&nbsp;

In that highly unlikely scenario, Britain would crash out of the bloc at the end of next week.

Another election?

Johnson warned MPs ahead of the votes on Tuesday that he would pull his Brexit deal legislation and try to hold a general election if they rejected his timetable -- although he did not repeat the threat afterwards.

Riding high in the polls, he has already unsuccessfully tried twice to get an early election to win back a majority in parliament, and seemed buoyed by having secured MPs' initial approval for his new Brexit deal.

But he needs the support of the main opposition Labour Party for an election to be called and it has so far resisted.

Labour says it would back an election when the threat of a "no deal" Brexit is off the table.

A second referendum?

Labour says any deal should be subject to a new referendum, and has promised to call one if it takes office.

Some MPs may try to force the issue during the passage of the Brexit deal legislation, although it is far from clear that they have the numbers to succeed.

Britain's three-year Brexit saga took another dramatic twist on Tuesday, with the outcome still tortuously tough to predict. In a landmark vote, MPs finally backed an EU divorce deal -- only then to reject Prime Minister Boris Johnson's rushed timetable to turn it into law ahead of the country's scheduled October 31 departure date.

Britain's three-year Brexit saga took another dramatic twist on Tuesday, with the outcome still tortuously tough to predict. In a landmark vote, MPs finally backed an EU divorce deal -- only then to reject Prime Minister Boris Johnson's rushed timetable to turn it into law ahead of the country's scheduled October 31 departure date. The decision makes that deadline almost impossible to meet, but it does not kill the deal — the first that has got a majority in parliament. Here are the possible scenarios ahead: Technical extension? Legislation passed last month stated that unless MPs backed a divorce deal by October 19, Johnson must write to EU leaders asking for Brexit to be postponed for three months to January 31, 2020. The prime minister reluctantly sent the letter late on Saturday, and EU leaders are still considering their response. European Council President Donald Tusk said Tuesday following the drama in Westminster that he was now recommending they accept the request. Johnson had earlier told lawmakers who had just defied his bid to fast-track his deal through parliament that he would "pause" the ratification process while the EU decides on an extension. Although he insisted Britain should still leave on October 31, he may have little choice but to accept a short "technical" delay to allow for a new parliamentary timetable to pass the legislation in the coming weeks. Longer delay? Despite Johnson being adamant he will not delay Brexit for months, the EU may also offer Britain the option of a longer extension -- which opposition MPs argue the premier would be compelled by law to accept. European leaders could claim a longer delay is necessary to give the country enough time to resolve the issue. Legislation of this type would normally take months and must be approved again by the House of Commons as well as by the upper House of Lords. There is a real risk MPs could try to hijack its passage and attach various amendments, for example to make approval subject to negotiating a future customs union with the bloc or even to hold a new referendum. A longer delay could also allow for a general election. 'No-deal' Brexit? The default legal position is that Britain leaves the EU on October 31 unless the other 27 member states agree to a delay. Business and markets across Europe fear the shock of a sudden Brexit that even the government's own assessment says would cause economic damage, raising the chances that the EU will offer an extension. Despite EU leaders claiming they would never cause a no-deal Brexit, their decision to offer a delay must be unanimous and any one of the 27 member states could block such a move. In that highly unlikely scenario, Britain would crash out of the bloc at the end of next week. Another election? Johnson warned MPs ahead of the votes on Tuesday that he would pull his Brexit deal legislation and try to hold a general election if they rejected his timetable -- although he did not repeat the threat afterwards. Riding high in the polls, he has already unsuccessfully tried twice to get an early election to win back a majority in parliament, and seemed buoyed by having secured MPs' initial approval for his new Brexit deal. But he needs the support of the main opposition Labour Party for an election to be called and it has so far resisted. Labour says it would back an election when the threat of a "no deal" Brexit is off the table. A second referendum? Labour says any deal should be subject to a new referendum, and has promised to call one if it takes office. Some MPs may try to force the issue during the passage of the Brexit deal legislation, although it is far from clear that they have the numbers to succeed.

What next after UK parliament's votes on Brexit deal?

UK PM faces questions in Parliament; Johnson and Corbyn face each other. Watch video to know more.

UK PM faces questions in Parliament; Johnson and Corbyn face each other

UK Cops Speak after 39 bodies were found in Essex. Watch video to know more.

UK Cops Speak after 39 bodies were found in Essex

39 bodies found in a lorry container in Essex. Watch video to know more.

39 bodies found in a lorry container in Essex

There is another vote on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal refused. Now, the UK speaker also refused to allow the vote for the Brexit deal. Watch this video to know more.

Brexit Deal: UK speaker refuses to allow the Brexit vote

boris-johnson

Boris Johnson, News on Boris Johnson, stories on Boris Johnson, articles on Boris Johnson, Boris Johnson stories at Wion, Boris Johnson news, Boris Johnson latest news

boris johnson

18 Woman MPs to not seek re-election in British Parliament due to abuse

Boris Johnson presses election rival Jeremy Corbyn to explain Brexit stance

Trump wades again into UK politics, tells Johnson, Farage to unite

Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage will not run to become MP

United Kingdom PM Johnson says his deal is only way to get Brexit done

UK PM Boris Johnson rejects calls for no-deal Brexit in election pitch

Eurosceptic Nigel Farage urges British PM to listen to Donald Trump

British election campaign kicks off on no-Brexit day

No Brexit, no worry: Britain kicks off election campaign

Britain set for Dec. 12 election to break the Brexit deadlock

WION Dispatch: UK PM Boris Johnson takes questions in Parliament

UK PM Boris Johnson takes questions in Parliament

Britain set for December 12 election to break Brexit deadlock

Britain set for December 12 election to break Brexit deadlock

Britain spins towards Christmas election in bid to break Brexit deadlock

UK set for third election in four years to try to break Brexit gridlock

Brexit election? Johnson makes fresh bid to break the deadlock

Brexit election? Boris Johnson makes fresh bid to break the deadlock

UK PM Johnson will push for an early election in parliament today

European Union agrees in principle to extend Brexit

EU agrees Brexit extension but sets no date as UK squabbles over election

UK PM Boris Johnson calls for the elections on 12th December

EU likely to shelve Brexit delay as Britain squabbles over election

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants early election on December 12