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Boris Johnson Loses Majority in Parliament after Defection, Could Call Early Elections

posted by martyb on Wednesday September 04 2019, @04:13AM   Printer-friendly
from the Ruh-Roh!-What-happens-now? dept.

takyon writes:

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.

Live coverage.

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

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 04 2019, @04:43AM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 04 2019, @04:43AM (#889379)

    He does. Jeremy Corbyn says he will allow elections to be called, but only with a guarantee that there will not be a no-deal Brexit. So, that's probably not happening soon. Normally there'd be a no-confidence vote at this point, but since the Queen has suspended Parliament, there's perhaps not enough time, unless it can happen before September 9.

    The situation is very, very strange.

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  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Mainframe Bloke on Wednesday September 04 2019, @04:45AM (1 child)

    by Mainframe Bloke (1665) on Wednesday September 04 2019, @04:45AM (#889381) Journal

    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

      by Arik (4543) on Wednesday September 04 2019, @08:22AM (#889429) Journal
      I am not a barrister, but as far as I understand a no-confidence vote can be initiated by the sitting PM himself. It only requires a simple majority, and does not by itself spark new elections, but it puts the ball in the oppositions court. They have 14 days to form a new government and pass an act of confidence in them - otherwise a new election must be held.

      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?