What’s next after Johnson’s goal of Brexit on Oct. 31 fades?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s goal of taking Britain out of European Union on Oct. 31 looks to have bitten dust after lawmakers blocked his attempt to fast-track a Brexit bill through Parliament. He ball is w in court of EU, which must decide wher to agree to postpone U.K.’s departure for a third time.

“I don’t think people of this country want a delay. I don’t want a delay,” Johnson said Wednesday. But a delay is on cards. Here’s a look at what could happen next.

BRITAIN LEAVES EU WITHOUT A DEAL ON OCT. 31

As it stands, Britain is due to leave bloc in eight days even if divorce deal is in place setting out terms. A -deal Brexit would bring instant barriers to tre between Britain and EU, and severely hit ecomies on both sides. Britain could see gridlock at ports, shorts of some food and medicines and a deep recession.

To avoid that, Parliament passed a law ordering Johnson to ask for a three-month delay to Britain’s exit if Oct. 31 was looking without a deal in place. Johnson me request Saturday, and European Council President Donald Tusk says he will recommend 27 EU national leers agree.

Leers of 27 or EU countries — who must agree unanimously — are weary and frustrated at Britain’s interminable Brexit melodrama. But y also want to avoid ecomic pain that would come to both U.K. and bloc from a sudden and disruptive British exit. That means that, despite ir grumbling, y are likely to grant a delay.

Johnson says he personally opposes an extension, but he is obliged by law to accept if EU offers one.

That means U.K. is unlikely to leave EU at end of this month.

BRITAIN LEAVES WITH A DEAL AFTER A FEW WEEKS’ DELAY

Opposition lawmakers voted to block Johnson’s attempt to push his Brexit bill through Parliament in a matter of days because y said it doesn’t give m eugh time to properly scrutinize it. Johnson could agree to give lawmakers a few more weeks and push on with bill, though that would mean formally accepting that his vow to deliver an Oct. 31 Brexit is de.

If Johnson chose this route, Britain might be able to leave EU in a matter of weeks — if, that is, Parliament votes for Johnson’s bill. Opposition lawmakers plan to seek amendments that could substantially alter bill, for example by ding a requirement that Brexit deal be put to voters in a new referendum. government says such an amendment would wreck its legislation and it will withdraw bill if it succeeds.

European Parliament also must approve divorce deal, but it is t expected to object.

BRITAIN HOLDS AN ELECTION DURING A DELAY OF A FEW MONTHS

government’s or option is to try to trigger a snap general election, in hopes it will shake up composition of House of Commons, deliver a majority for Johnson’s Conservatives and break impasse that has brought Brexit to a grinding halt.

Elections take five or six weeks, so this will only be possible of EU offers extension until Jan. 31 that Britain has asked for, or a longer one.

And, to complicate things for Johnson, he can’t just call an election on his own. He needs eir to win a vote in Parliament by a two-third majority or lose a -confidence vote, which so far opposition parties have refused to call. main opposition Labour Party says it will only support an election once a “-deal crash-out” from EU is off table.

An election could break logjam — or it could result in a Parliament as fractious and divided as one Britain has w.