The road to Brexit's seen potholes, u-turns, and agonising delays - but this week might be its most chaotic yet.
On Tuesday night (NZ time) British MPs will gather in Parliament - some plotting to oust Prime Minister Boris Johnson altogether, others to just thwart his plans. And Johnson himself is threatening to call a snap election.
- Boris Johnson's move to suspend Parliament enrages politicians
- Boris Johnson: Who is the United Kingdom's Prime Minister?
- Boris Johnson calls for Brexit agreement compromise, to visit European Union
"I don't want an election, you don't want an election," Johnson said.
That's a threat directed at rebel Tory MPs planning to support Labour's move to seize control of Parliament and delay Brexit to avoid leaving the EU without a deal.
"We're leaving on the 31st October, no ifs, no buts. We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum," Johnson told them.
His Government has a majority of just one vote, so there's a real possibility Tory rebels will get their way.
"If we don't take action in the next few days, the overwhelming likelihood is that we will leave the EU without a deal. And that will have a very damaging impact on my constituents," Conservative Party MP David Gauke said.
Any Conservative MPs who defy Johnson will be blocked from standing for the party at the next election and be out of a job in a 'back me or I'll sack you' ultimatum.
But Johnson's bolshy behaviour has former Labour Prime Ministers on the warpath.
"He's trampling on our democracy, he's shredding our constitution, he's tearing the country apart," said Gordon Brown.
"Our Government has been taken over by a gang of adventurers, but don't underestimate the appeal of adventure after a long period of paralysis," added Tony Blair.
Paralysis is exactly what could continue. With Parliament and Johnson's Government at loggerheads, something has to give though - and it could, this week.
Newshub.
