Brexit: Election to break the deadlock?

KUALA LUMPUR: The uncertainty over Brexit - the United Kingdom leaving the European Union - is spilling into its fourth year, since the fateful 2016 referendum. While the EU has allowed the UK more time to negotiate a divorce deal (the third such postponement this year), it seems that an election may be the only way out of the Brexit impasse.

Here’s what you need to know: THE LATEST

• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for an early election on December 12 after parliament backed him
• This would be the U.K’s third general election in five years
• The government's Brexit legislation is on hold as the UK heads towards the general election

UK Election in Numbers 

THE MAIN PARTIES CONTESTING AND WHERE THEY STAND ON BREXIT FOR BREXIT: Conservative Party, Leader - Boris Johnson

• Johnson would hope to win a clear majority, pass his law and take Britain out of the EU
• In an hour-long debate with opposition Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, Johnson promises to implement the exit deal he negotiated with the EU previously and lead Britain out of the union by January 31
• The Conservatives are running on the slogan “Back Boris. Get Brexit Done”

IN THE MIDDLE GROUND: Labour Party, Leader - Jeremy Corbyn

• Labour campaigned against Brexit in the 2016 referendum but had since positioned themselves ‘in the middle ground’.
• If Labour wins, the party says it will immediately hold a second referendum that will give the British public a final say on UK’s future relationship with the EU
• But Corbyn's promise of a second referendum may prolong Britain’s departure from the EU

NO BREXIT: Scottish National Party, Leader - Nicola Sturgeon

• Scotland’s first minister argues the debate between Johnson and Corbyn (where SNP was excluded) does not reflect the choice Scottish voters face on the Dec 12 election
• In 2016, Scotland voted in favour of the UK staying in the EU by 62% to 38%
• The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland, the third-biggest party at Westminster, behind Conservative and Labour
• SNP could potentially hold the balance of power if the UK’s general election results in a hung parliament
• Sturgeon said SNP would support a minority Labour government. The price? Corbyn’s backing on new referendum on Scottish independence