Stop holding Britain hostage: Boris Johnson presses for snap elections

But with the Labour Party waiting for the European Union to grant a Brexit delay and two other parties launching their bid for an earlier election, the govt's bid so far looks set to fail

Boris Johnson’s government stepped up pressure on lawmakers on Sunday to back the prime minister’s bid to hold an early election and break the Brexit impasse, saying Britain was being held “hostage” by parliament.

But with the main opposition Labour Party waiting for the European Union to grant a Brexit delay and two other parties launching their own bid for an even earlier election, the government’s bid so far looks set to fail.

Britain was due to leave the EU on Thursday, but despite the government arguing this is still the legal default date, few expect Johnson to meet his “do or