Brexit crisis: UK PM Johnson calls for early elections after losing his majority over vote to stop No Deal

London: Three months ago, Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to resign over the Brexit crisis, and Boris Johnson took over as the UK Prime Minister. In a dramatic set of developments that occurred on Tuesday, Johnson lost his majority in the parliament. After that, intensifying his stance, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced for general elections on October 15. Some analysts claimed that the chain of events that occurred in the UK parliament was unprecedented and the country was heading towards anarchy.

On June 7, Theresa May stepped down as the UK Prime Minister citing failure to find a resolution to the Brexit issue as the reason for her resignation. Boris Johnson was then elected as the new leader of the ruling Conservative Party as also the UK Prime Minister after elections. ‘We are going to fulfil the repeated promises of parliament to the people and come out of the EU on October 31, no ifs or buts,’ Johnson had said as he clarified his priorities.

However, 20 Conservative members of the parliament voted against Prime Minister Johnson on a No-Deal Brexit vote. At the same time, one member of the ruling party openly crossed the chamber to sit with the opposition. Therefore, the Johnson government had clearly lost the majority in the parliament, which it had attained with a slim margin of one vote. It is believed to be an unprecedented rebellion within the ruling party.

Considering the developments, 21 rebel Conservative MPs were expelled immediately. Prime Minister Johnson then tabled the proposal for the dissolution of the parliament calling for early elections on October 15. Also, sources indicate that the British parliament will take a vote on it, the results of which would be out late in the night.

Prime Minister Johnson had strongly justified his stand on the Brexit issue after assuming office. Johnson had asserted that the United Kingdom would exit from the European Union on or before October 31 and would not make new compromises. Nevertheless, some Conservative members, along with the opposition party, took a stiff stand for negotiations with the EU.

The opponents had anticipated that Johnson would adopt the move given the slim margin of the majority he had in the parliament. Even so, Johnson put the decision in the hands of the British people by proposing for general elections although analysts indicate his decision may create a more chaotic situation in the United Kingdom.

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