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Published 12:01 IST, October 25th 2019

UK: Boris Johnson seeks December 12 election 'to get Brexit done'

UK PM Boris Johnson said that he will give more time to the MPs for more discussion on the EU Withdrawl Bill, only if they agree to general elections on Dec 12

Reported by: Aanchal Nigam
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The Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Boris Johnson said on October 24 that he will give more time to the members of the Parliament for more discussion on the European Union Withdrawl Bill, only if they agree to general elections on December 12. This also means that after years of struggle, PM Johnson has finally abandoned his wish to get Brexit done by October 31, with or without a deal. 

The UK leader wrote to the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn saying that he will give the British Parliament one last chance to scrutinise his withdrawal bill by November 6 under the Fixed-term Parliament Act on October 29 and ask for an early general election. However, this motion will also require the support of at least two-thirds of the parliamentary majority in order to succeed. PM Johnson also believes that if the present parliament fails to get Brexit done, then the people need a “new one”. 

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Jeremy Corbyn agrees

Soon after PM Johnson's request of the general election, Jeremy Corbyn agreed to the call but said that “No Deal must be taken off the table”. On behalf of his entire Labour Party, Corbyn said that they will fully support the new elections as he himself has been calling for elections, “ever since the last one”. Corbyn had also called it a “sell-out deal” and that the UK's Labour officials will not support the deal which PM Johnson announced a deal for Brexit along with EU's Jean Claude-Juncker. John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons said during the Parliamentary session that a technical term which can define the current situation of the European Union Withdrawl Agreement Bill is that it in in a 'limbo' and there is a requirement of notice before the bill is moved to the committee stage. 

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Why PM Johnson is seeking elections?

Since the timetable to push the procedures, which would convert the European Withdrawl Bill into law has been rejected with 322 to 308 votes, the European Union also responded to the British Parliament's request and agreed that there was a need to extend the previous deadline. However, the EU did not give an exact date, but the delay was sure. PM Johnson had published the 110-page ahead of the Parliamentary session along with 122-page explanatory notes in order to fast forward the legal processes for Brexit. The UK PM then paused the session after facing the rejection over his timetable although the bill was passed. Boris Johnson further threatened to pull the bill completely and start general elections. 

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11:33 IST, October 25th 2019