UK’s Johnson Seeks Dec. 12 Election to Break Brexit Impasse

Boris Johnson leaves his campaign headquarters after he was announced as the new Conservative leader and Prime Minister, in London, England, on July 23, 2019. Leon Neal/Getty Images

LONDON—British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has finally abandoned his promise of an October Brexit and pinned his hopes on a December election.

Two days after lawmakers stymied Johnson’s latest attempt to pass his European Union divorce deal, he said on Oct. 24 that the only way to break Britain’s Brexit impasse is a general election. Johnson said he would ask lawmakers to vote on Oct. 28 on a motion calling a national poll for Dec. 12.