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Brexit Crisis Grows as Opposition Rejects Snap Election Call

Associated Press

   LONDON - Britain's bedeviling Brexit dilemma intensified Friday, as
   opposition parties refused to support Prime Minister Boris Johnson's
   call for an election until he secures a delay to Britain's exit from
   the European Union -- something he vows he'll never do.

   Johnson insists Britain must leave the EU in 55 days, and says an
   election is the only way to break the deadlock that has seen lawmakers
   repeatedly reject the divorce deal on offer, but also block attempts to
   leave the EU without one.

   He wants to go to the public on Oct. 15, two weeks before the scheduled
   Brexit day of Oct. 31, but needs the support of two-thirds of lawmakers
   to trigger a snap election.

   Johnson lost a vote on the same question this week, but he plans to try
   again Monday.

   Standoff

   After discussions Friday, lawmakers from several opposition parties
   said they would not back an election unless the government asked the EU
   to postpone Brexit, removing the risk the U.K. could crash out without
   a deal. Johnson says he would "rather be dead in a ditch" than delay
   Brexit.

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