Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Johnson to seek Oct. 14 election if rebels block his Brexit plan - source

Published 02/09/2019, 19:35
Updated 02/09/2019, 19:35
© Reuters. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the media outside Downing Street in London

© Reuters. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the media outside Downing Street in London

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will move to call an Oct. 14 election if lawmakers block the option of leaving the European Union without a deal, a senior government source said on Monday.

Lawmakers are expected to vote on Tuesday on a plan that would give members of parliament who are opposed to Johnson's Brexit strategy control of the parliamentary agenda. They would then seek to pass legislation to force him to ask for a further delay to Brexit.

If that group is successful in defeating the government, the source said Johnson would then take the first step to calling an election -- presenting a motion to parliament calling for one.

"Members of Parliament will face a very simple choice tomorrow when they vote. If they vote to give Boris Johnson the chance to do the negotiations ... that would be the best chance for Britain to get a deal," the source said.

"But, if they vote tomorrow to wreck the negotiating process, to go against giving Britain the ability to negotiate a deal, then they'll also have to reflect on what comes next."

The motion seeking an election would be expected to be voted upon on Wednesday and would require a two thirds majority in the 650-seat House of Commons to pass. If passed, the election would likely be on Oct. 14, the source said.

© Reuters. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the media outside Downing Street in London

The source also said that while Johnson did not want an election, lawmakers should be aware it would be a consequence of their decision to vote against the government on Tuesday.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.