Boris Johnson could try and force a Christmas election without the support of Labour, after the Lib Dems and SNP hatched a plan to break the Brexit deadlock.
The Liberal Democrats and SNP want a December 9 poll instead of Boris Johnson’s preferred December 12 date – because it would not give the PM time to bring back his Brexit bill.
They would also prefer the slightly earlier date because many students will still be at university in key Remain seats.
This morning two key Tory figures dismissed the Remain-backing parties’ plan.
Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan called it a “stunt” and Conservative Party chair James Cleverly said it was a “gimmick”.
But later the mood music changed with Downing Street seizing on the opportunity to sideline Labour.
A No 10 source today told the Mirror: “Tomorrow MPs will vote on an election on 12 December so we can get a new Parliament.
(Image: BBC/AFP via Getty Images)
“If Labour oppose being held to account by the people yet again, then we will look at all options to get Brexit done including ideas similar to that proposed by other opposition parties.”
The PM is expected to struggle to muster the two thirds of MPs he needs to trigger an election on December 12 when it comes to a vote on Monday.
But the Lib Dems and SNP’s plan is a one-line bill which means it only a simple majority in the Commons.
Downing Street have indicated the Tories could back a version of the rival plan which would mean it could pass the Commons without the support of Labour.
Jeremy Corbyn has so far insisted that Boris Johnson must rule out a No Deal Brexit before he supports an election, something the PM will not do.
Although Labour MPs were told last week to “abstain” on the vote on Monday, Jeremy Corbyn has said he wants to wait for EU diplomats’ decision on a Brexit extension, which could take until Tuesday before deciding whether to back a snap election.
(Image: PA)
MPs could amend the ‘one line’ bill to tack on extras such as a second referendum or lowering the voting age to 16, making it a risky move for the PM to back it.
But Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson appeared to indicate she was willing to work with the government.
She told the BBC: “I recognise the time pressure that we are under right now doesn’t give us that luxury – January 31 isn’t that far away.
“I think we have to pass this as it is drafted. We cannot assume we will keep getting an extension to Article 50. We do need to resolve this issue.”
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth said his party were “desperate for a General Election ”, but dismissed the plan as a “sideshow”.
He told Sky News: “This Lib Dem plan is an opportunistic stunt – it’s entirely ridiculous. It’s a stunt so the Lib Dems can get on the telly.”
But Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott told the BBC Labour would be willing to “discuss” the idea with the Lib Dems.
(Image: Getty Images)
Although MPs voted in favour of Boris Johnson’s deal at second reading – meaning it should receive further debate – the PM lost his bid to ram the legislation through the Commons in just three days.
After losing the programme motion the Prime Minister “paused” his Brexit deal.
Now Number 10 is trying to use the threat of the cross-party bill to put pressure on leave-backing MPs to support a programme motion which gets the PM’s Brexit deal through by the end of November.
If that fails they will bring their own one-line bill which would be subject to amendments.
Tory chairman James Cleverly branded the plan a “gimmick”. He told the BBC: “It moves the election day by three days and takes the Withdrawal Agreement entirely off the table.”
Mr Cleverly added: “We put forward proposals for a general election first. But also the delivery of Brexit. And what we’re not going to do, is we’re not going to listen to two parties who explicitly said they want to stop Brexit from happening. We’re not going to be complicit in them stopping Brexit from happening.”
He said: “The reason I don’t trust them is Jo (Swinson) said she would respect the referendum result. Now she’s going to revoke Article 50 .”
But a Number 10 source denied the initial frosty response to the idea was evidence of a cabinet split, rather that it was pursuing a “twin track approach.”
