UK PM offers Dec 12 election to break Brexit impasse

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday offered parliament more time to scrutinise his Brexit deal if it agrees to hold a snap general election on December 12.   

The premier suspended debates on his EU divorce deal after MPs on Tuesday refused to rush it through parliament in time for the October 31 Brexit deadline.   

Johnson is vehemently opposed to delaying Britain’s exit from the European Union a third time this year but has been forced by parliament to request a delay.   

Lawmakers on Tuesday gave their support “in principle” for the agreement -- but voted down the proposed timetable.   

It had been the first time that 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.   

Johnson has asked the EU for a three-month delay that could be cut short in case of a breakthrough that finally sees the deal approved by MPs.   

The main opposition Labour Party has previously refused to back snap polls until the possibility of a chaotic “no-deal” Brexit on October 31 has been firmly ruled out.   

 “The Labour Party will back an election once no deal is ruled out and if the extension allows,” business spokeswoman Valerie Vaz reaffirmed in parliament
LONDON AFP 
Oct24, 2019