Boris Johnson loses Parliamentary majority, faces Brexit showdown
Britain's Parliament returns from its summer recess and is facing a titanic showdown over Prime Minister Boris Johnson's plans to leave the European Union. Here's what we know:
● Johnson has lost his majority in Parliament, with the defection of Conservative Phillip Lee to the Liberal Democrats.
● The opposition, including members of Johnson's party, is seeking to pass legislation to delay Brexit.
● Johnson has said that if his foes succeed he will call early elections.
List of prime ministers of the United Kingdom by length of tenure
#54: George Canning, 119 days (1827)
#55: Boris Johnson, 40 days (Incumbent) (2019)
See also: Brexit: Tory MP defects ahead of crucial no-deal vote
How Brexit Blew Up Britain's Constitution
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Mainframe Bloke on Wednesday September 04 2019, @04:45AM (1 child)
There is a small possibility of a different route:
I read on the BBC that he (or whoever follows him if he's gone soon) can submit a bill to have an election on a specific date, in which case only a simple majority is needed.
From https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46393399: [bbc.com] [bbc.com]
"Theoretically, there is another way he could achieve his goal. A short new law specifying the date of an early general election would require only a simple majority and not need two-thirds of MPs."
Either way, I reckon he's toast but I don't get a vote...
(Score: 1) by Arik on Wednesday September 04 2019, @08:22AM
Another possibility is that he could simply resign. In that case, if my memory serves, the Queen would then call upon the opposition to form a new government with the same results if they fail to do so.
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?