LONDON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - An election is the only way to break the deadlock over Brexit, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament on Monday, ahead of a vote on whether a snap election should be held.

"Mr Speaker I am re-tabling a motion for an early date general election, I don't want it, I hoped this step would be unnecessary," he said.

"Yet I have accepted the reality that an election is the only way to break the deadlock in the House (of Commons) and to serve the national interest by giving whoever is prime minister the strongest possible mandate to negotiate for our country at next month's European council."

Johnson said that if parliament did not vote for an election, he would go to the EU summit next month seeking to agree a deal, but would not ask for another delay to Brexit. (Reporting by William James and Kylie MacLellan; writing by Kate Holton; editing by Alistair Smout)