UK spins towards Christmas election in bid to break Brexit deadlock – Newspaper

LONDON: Britain was heading for its first December elections in almost a century after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid to break the Brexit stalemate with an early vote gained support from opposition parties on Tuesday.

When the European Union agreed to a third delay for divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29, the United Kingdom, its parliament and its electorate are still divided on how or whether to move forward with Brexit.

Johnson, who had promised to deliver Brexit on October 31 "do it or die," has repeatedly demanded an election to end what he considers a nightmare paralysis that is undermining public confidence in politicians by thwarting any outcome. of Brexit.

After parliament rejected Johnson's third demand for elections on Monday, he will try to force a bill in parliament on Tuesday to call elections on December 12. You need a simple majority in parliament.

In a movement that ranks the stars for an election after months of Brexit discord, Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labor Party, said he would support an election now that the threat of Britain leaving the EU without an agreement has been removed

"Regardless of the date on which the House decides what the elections will be, I am ready for that, we are ready for that," Corbyn told parliament, adding that he supported allowing EU citizens with established status and youth of 16 -17 years vote.

That is a step too far for the British government, which said it would withdraw the electoral bill if the opposition parties tried to change the electoral franchise before an election.

Johnson said the House of Commons was obstructing Brexit and therefore damaging the economy by avoiding investment decisions and corroding faith in democracy.

“There is only one way to get Brexit to face this relentless parliamentary obstructionism: this endless intentional refusal of & # 39; not me Guv & # 39; crossed with your fingers to fulfill the mandate of the people, and it is, Mr. President, update this Parliament and give people a choice, "said Johnson.

The first Christmas elections in Britain since 1923 would be very unpredictable: Brexit has fatigued and enraged voters in several ways, while eroding traditional loyalties to the two main parties, conservative and Labor.

Some politicians feel that an election so close to Christmas could irritate voters, while campaigning and voting could be hampered by the cold winter weather and the darkness that lies ahead in the afternoon.

Posted on Dawn, October 30, 2019