Johnson pushed for the December vote, which is taking place more than two years early, in hopes of winning a majority and breaking Britain’s political impasse over Brexit.

The two politicians hammered away at their rival's weaknesses and sidestepped tricky questions about their own policies in the hourlong encounter, which was the first-ever head-to-head TV debate between a British prime minister and a chief challenger.

The simmering showdown between Johnson and Parliament over Brexit came to a head as lawmakers delivered three defeats to the government’s plans for leaving the European Union, before being sent home early Tuesday for a contentious five-week suspension of the legislature.

Johnson already lost a vote on the same question this week, but plans to try again Monday, saying an election is the only way to break the country's deadlock over Brexit.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Wednesday update parliament on her progress towards securing a Brexit deal, giving lawmakers the chance to challenge her approach and vote on alternatives.

The speaker of the House of Commons is usually taken for granted, except for those rare moments when Britain is having a legislative meltdown and Parliament gets center stage.

The remark made by Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn left members of Parliament shouting across the floor.

The U.K. can still cancel Brexit and remain in the European Union, rather than pressing forward with its messy departure, a top EU court official says.

Theresa May said she is more concerned about the U.K.'s future rather than her own, and talk of U.K.'s leadership can be distracting.