London, September 3 (RHC)-- Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to call an election, British media reported Monday, on the eve of a historic showdown with parliament over Brexit.

Johnson has called a cabinet meeting and could ask lawmakers to vote on calling an election if they vote against his government on Brexit, BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said.  “Cabinet is being called for this afternoon,” Kuenssberg said. “Real possibility now Johnson might put a motion down to ask MPs to vote for an election this week.”

“This would happen if the rebels pass the law - not of course if they lose!”   Johnson’s promise to take the country out of the European Union on Oct. 31 with or without a deal to smooth the divorce between the world’s fifth-largest economy and its biggest trading partner has propelled the United Kingdom towards a constitutional crisis and a battle with the 27 other members of the bloc.

An alliance of opposition lawmakers is plotting with rebels in Johnson’s Conservative Party to take control of parliament and tie the government’s hands with legislation that would block a no-deal exit, fearing leaving without a deal will be ruinous.

Just 24 hours until parliament returns Tuesday from its summer break, Johnson’s enforcers warned rebels that if they voted against the government they would be kicked out of his Conservative Party.

With little clarity on whether the deadlocked British parliament might be able to come up with a resolution to the three-year Brexit crisis, talk turned to a possible election.