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Britain's Johnson Threatens Expulsion of Tory Rebels Over Brexit Dispute

Ken Bredemeier

   WASHINGTON - Updated Sept. 2, 2019, 3:40p.m.

   British Prime Minister Boris Johnson threatened Monday to expel any
   Conservative Party rebels if they try to block his push for a no-deal
   exit next month from the European Union.

   Johnson has only a one-seat majority in the House of Commons. But as
   parliament returns Tuesday from its summer recess, as many as 20 Tory
   rebels could join opposition lawmakers to tie the government's hands
   against Johnson's efforts to quit the EU on Oct. 31 without spelling
   out the terms of the divorce.

   He assailed attempts to delay Britain's departure from the EU,
   contending that it would "chop the legs" out of Britain's attempt at
   negotiating better terms for splitting from the bloc.

   Johnson met with his Cabinet ministers, stoking speculation that he
   would call for a snap election next month if parliament rejects his
   Brexit plans, possibly a vote ahead of a mid-October summit of EU
   leaders on final terms of Britain's departure from the 28-nation bloc
   after 46 years of membership. But Johnson said he does not want a new
   election.
   
   "Let's let our negotiators get on with their work, without that 'sword
   of Damocles' over their necks, and without an election, without an
   election," he said. "I don't want an election, you don't want an
   election. Let's get on with the people's agenda."

   Johnson became prime minister after the country's former leader,
   Theresa May, failed in three parliamentary votes to win approval for
   the Brexit terms she negotiated with the EU.

   A no-deal departure from the EU could lead to economic turmoil, ending
   decades of Britain's seamless trade with the EU, its biggest trading
   partner.

   But Johnson said he is determined to leave the EU, even without a deal.

   "There are no circumstances under which I will ask Brussels to delay,"
   Johnson said. "We're leaving the 31st of October, no ifs or buts."
   Former Justice Minister David Gauke told the BBC, "Their strategy to be
   honest is to lose this week and then seek a general election having
   removed those of us... who believe we should leave with a deal."

   Opposition Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said, "We want a general
   election" to oust what he described as Johnson's "phony, populist
   cabal."

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