Boris Johnson lost his government’s ruling majority ahead of a critical showdown with members of Britain’s Parliament, as the Brexit crisis pushed the U.K. closer toward a snap election.
Johnson is battling political opponents who are determined to wreck his plan to deliver Brexit at all costs by Oct. 31, with the first parliamentary vote in the clash expected around 10 p.m Tuesday night. If he loses, Johnson’s officials have said he will set in motion preparations for a poll to elect a new government on Oct. 14.
What to Expect From the Brexit Showdown in ParliamentThe premier’s chances of success were dealt a blow when one of his Conservative Party members of Parliament, Phillip Lee, dramatically defected to join the rival Liberal Democrats as Johnson got to his feet to speak in the House of Commons.