UK: PM suffers defeat in crucial Commons vote

MPs take control of parliamentary business Wednesday to force bill that would block no-deal Brexit

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered a crucial defeat on a motion giving Wednesday’s parliamentary business to MPs who are expected to block a no-deal Brexit with a legislation.

The government received 301 votes but failed to beat the motion after 328 MPs including more than 20 Tory MPs voted for it.

MPs on Wednesday will use parliamentary time to pass a bill that will block a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31 if the Johnson government fails to reach a deal with the EU by that deadline.

Johnson threatened his own MPs to vote against the motion Tuesday and said he would deselect them for a snap election, which he is likely to call.

The U.K. is set to leave the bloc Oct. 31 after two extensions granted by the EU.

If the bill is passed on Wednesday, Johnson would be forced to ask for a third extension from the EU.

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