British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Front) gestures in the House of Commons in London, Britain, on Sept. 3, 2019. (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/Handout via Xinhua)

British MPs have backed a bill aimed at blocking a no-deal Brexit.

The bill forces the PM to ask for an extension beyond the Oct. 31 Brexit deadline if a deal has not been agreed with the EU.

LONDON, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- British lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favour of a bill to stop a no-deal Brexit at the end of October, a second heavy blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in two days.

The bill was passed in its final reading in the House of Commons by 327 votes to 299.

It means the government has to extend the Brexit deadline beyond Oct. 31, if a deal has not been agreed with the EU.

Anti-Brexit protesters take part in a demonstration in London, Britain, on Sept. 3, 2019. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

It now goes to the House of Lords, which must give its assent.

The vote was cast after the rebel Tories and opposition won the control of the parliamentary business on Tuesday.

In response, Johnson, who vowed to take his country out of the European Union on Oct. 31 with or without a deal, called upon MPs to back his plan to hold an early general election on Oct. 15.

A flag of the European Union is seen outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, Sept. 4, 2019. (Xinhua/Han Yan)