Boris Johnson makes veiled snap election threat to head off Brexit delay

Boris Johnson is mad.
(Image credit: BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned rebel MPs on Monday that "I don't want an election and you don't want one either" as rumors mounted that he could potentially call a snap general election vote as soon as Wednesday to head off a legislative move intended to delay Brexit, expected tomorrow.

Earlier Monday, Hilary Benn, the Labour chair of the Commons Brexit committee, released the text of a bill supported by anti-no deal Brexit Tory rebels and opposition MPs, which would prevent the looming no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31. "The Bill gives the Government time either to reach a new agreement with the European Union at the European Council meeting next month, or to seek Parliament's specific consent to leave the EU without a deal," Benn explained.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.