British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has lost his working majority in parliament ahead of a crucial Brexit vote.
According to Guardian newspaper (UK), Johnson’s loss of majority followed the defection of Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Phillip Lee to the pro-EU Liberal Democrats on Tuesday.
“The Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that Bracknell MP Phillip Lee has joined the party,” the Liberal Democrats said in a statement.
Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, said she was delighted by the defection.
“He shares our commitment to prevent a disastrous No Deal Brexit, and to stop Brexit altogether,” she said.
Johnson had braced up for a showdown in parliament over his Brexit plan in a vote that could derail Britain’s exit from the European Union next month.
Members of Johnson’s own Tory party, including Lee, have worked with opposition lawmakers to draft a bill to force him to delay Brexit if he cannot agree divorce terms with the EU in time.
Johnson however warned he will prevent any Tory MPs who support the bill from standing for the party in any upcoming election, which is looking increasingly likely.
“This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways,” said Lee.
“It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way,” he added.
