British Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes his first statement in the House of Commons in London, Britain, on July 25, 2019. (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/Handout via Xinhua)
Three years after the shock referendum vote to leave the EU, Brexit remains a highly divisive issue in Britain. "We are leaving on Oct. 31, no ifs or buts," says Boris Johnson, calling on lawmakers to vote against "pointless" delay of Brexit.
LONDON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday called upon members of parliament to vote against "pointless delay" of Brexit, which is being campaigned by opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and some Tory rebels, saying that "I don't want an election."
The prime minister, speaking to reporters before 10 Downing Street after an emergency cabinet meeting, said, "Let's get Brexit done by Oct. 31."
The photo taken on June 7, 2019 shows 10 Downing Street in London, Britain.(Xinhua/Alberto Pezzali)
Johnson is asking the members of parliament not to block his Brexit plan as he vowed to take his country out of the European Union on Oct. 31 with or without a deal.
"I say, to show our friends in Brussels that we are united in our purpose, MPs should vote with the government against Corbyn's pointless delay," Johnson said.
Brexit has been delayed twice already because of British lawmakers' refusal to ratify the agreement, reached by the EU and Theresa May when she was the prime minister.
Three years after the shock referendum vote to leave the EU, Brexit remains a highly divisive issue in Britain.
"I want everybody to know there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay," he said. "We are leaving on Oct. 31, no ifs or buts."
The statement came as members of parliament across party lines are expected to put forward legislation on Tuesday to prevent a no deal.
The parliament returns on Tuesday after a summer recess.
EU and UK flags are seen outside the Houses of Parliament, in front of a statue of Winston Churchill, in London, Britain on Jan. 15. 2019.(Xinhua/Tim Ireland)
On Monday, Labour said that it will ask members to set a deadline of Oct. 19 for the prime minister to request an extension until Jan. 31, if he can't get the parliament to agree a new deal or agree to leave without a deal.
The members of parliament will "chop the legs out" from the British position if they back a delay, the prime minister said.
A demonstrator supporting British Labor party leader Jeremy Corbyn stands outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, on Jan. 16, 2019.(Xinhua/Tim Ireland)
"I don't want an election, you do not want an election," he said, referring to speculations of an early general election. "Let's get on without an election."
The chances of a deal with the EU "are rising," the prime minister said. "I am encouraged by the progress we are making."
