This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been making headlines with his strong stance on Brexit. In a speech in northern England, he stated that he would rather be dead in a ditch than ask the EU for a Brexit delay.
Johnson's comments came as he urged opposition lawmakers to support an early election, which he believes would help resolve the political deadlock that has characterized the past three years since the 2016 referendum vote for Brexit.
However, his call for a snap election was rejected by MPs in the House of Commons, leaving Johnson in a difficult position. His Brexit plan is in tatters, but he has no way out after his parliamentary majority was destroyed by a Conservative party rebellion over the issue.
Despite this, Johnson remains determined to push through his Brexit plan. He has expressed regret over the resignation of his brother, Jo Johnson, who had strongly opposed Brexit and announced that he would not stand at the next election as an MP.
Johnson's government has announced that it will try again to force an election with a House of Commons vote on Monday, and he has challenged the opposition Labour party to back it.
As the UK approaches the October 31 deadline for Brexit, the pound surged to a one-month high against the dollar on rising market hopes that Britain can avoid a disorderly end to 46 years of EU membership.
Johnson, who took office in July promising to deliver Brexit in all circumstances, is hoping to regain the initiative with an election before the EU summit on October 17-18.
