Boris Johnson Loses Bid for New Election

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suffered another big loss, with the House of Commons rejecting his motion calling for a general election by 298 to 56.

Because many opposition MPs abstained, it did not receive the two thirds majority required to trigger national ballot.

Axios: “It’s a disastrous start for the new prime minister, who campaigned on a pledge to leave the EU on Oct. 31 with or without a deal. No prime minister has lost their first vote in office since 1783 — let alone their first 3.”

“The opposition Labour Party said it would not back an election until the bill ruling out a no-deal is enshrined in law. It has to pass through Parliament’s upper chamber, the House of Lords, for that to happen.”