LONDON, Oct. 23 -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday that he still wants Britain to leave the European Union (EU) on Oct. 31, despite losing a vital vote on Tuesday night that derailed his strategy.

Johnson, making his second appearance at Prime Minister's Questions since moving into 10 Downing Street in July, also said he would welcome a general election to decide the Brexit issue.

Answering questions from MPs in the House of Commons, Johnson said what happens next depends on the decision of Brussels to parliament's request for Brexit to be delayed until the end of January.

There has been widespread media speculation that if EU leaders grant an extension until January, Johnson is likely to call a snap general election in November or early December.

Johnson's hope is an election that could give the Conservatives a significant majority in the Commons to enable his Brexit deal to be completed. Currently, he is leading a minority government.

Former Conservative and veteran politician Kenneth Clarke praised Johnson for winning support for Brexit by a reasonable majority in Tuesday's vote on his Brexit bill.

Johnson's target to get the bill fast-tracked so it could be approved this week was thwarted when MPs rejected the idea of completing the process by Thursday.

After the vote on the fast-track procedure, he announced the Brexit bill was being paused.

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