UK PM’s Second Attempt to Trigger Election Fails

British lawmakers on Monday night voted to reject Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s second bid for a snap general election, dealing another heavy blow to his Brexit strategy.

The legislators voted 293 to 46 to turn down the government’s wish to hold a general election on October 15. The next general election is scheduled for 2022. According to the outcome announced

in the early hours of Tuesday, the votes in favour of an early election fell short of the 434 votes needed and marked the new Prime Minister’s sixth defeat in the House of Commons.

It is the second time that Johnson failed to get sufficient two-thirds majority at the House of Commons required by law for an early general election. His first bid was voted down in the Parliament. Mr Johnson’s other defeats include: a bill that became law on Monday to direct him to seek a delayed Brexit, a job that he vowed not to take, Amber Rudd’s resignation on Saturday as the work and pensions secretary, and the resignation of his younger brother, Jo Johnson, from his government. Mr Johnson’s decision to prorogue - suspend - the Parliament until October 14 was also challenged in courts in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Before the late-night vote, the Prime Minister told the Parliament that an early election was the only way to resolve the country’s current Brexit deadlock.

“Let the people decide if they want a Brexit delay,” Mr Johnson said in the Parliament while calling for support for his bid for a snap election.