THERESA May is preparing for a snap election in a bid to stop Brexit squabbling, swirling rumours suggest.
After her Brexit deal was rejected for a third time, she said “we are reaching the limits of this process in this House”. So could one happen soon?
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What is a snap election?
Britain’s next national election is not due to be held until 2022.
A snap election is one that is called earlier than expected – or when not required.
The ‘snap’ element is often used as a tactic to exploit the opposition’s weakness, or for party’s to boost their majority in parliament.
Prime Minister Theresa May called a shock snap election in 2017.
PA:Press Association
But her gamble to try to strengthen the Tories’ hold on Parliament backfired when her majority was slashed by 13 seats.
It put the Conservatives below the 326 seats needed to form a government — leading her to get the support of Northern Ireland’s DUP in a £1billion supply-and-demand deal to keep them in power.
Could one happen soon?
Mrs May’s media chief Robbie Gibb, and her political aide Stephen Parkinson are pushing for an election, The Sunday Times reported.
With Brexit set to take place on April 12 unless MPs agree on an alternative way forward, the government would need to seek a longer delay in order to hold an election.
It is likely the EU would agree to this, although it is not guaranteed.
The PM has said any longer delay would mean Britain taking place in European Parliament elections.
According to a possible timetable set out by the Institute for Government, an election could be held as soon as mid-late May.
If it is triggered by a no confidence vote, it would be slightly later due to the 14-day period.
What has Theresa May said?
Speaking directly after yet another loss, she said it was a matter of “deep regret” for her and should be for all MPs.
And she said the implications of the massive defeat were “grave”.
But there’s no chance on her giving up on leaving the EU without a deal, she stressed.
“I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this House,” she told MPs.
“This House has rejected no deal. It has rejected no Brexit. On Wednesday it rejected all the variations of the deal on the table.
“And today it has rejected approving the Withdrawal Agreement alone and continuing a process on the future.
“This Government will continue to press the case for the orderly Brexit that the result of the referendum demands.”
Her frustration with the whole process could lead to an election, it’s been speculated.
