Brexit gamble: Boris Johnson could get his snap election – and earlier than expected
- Two opposition parties have made proposal to hold polls on December 9 – three days ahead of date preferred by prime minister
- Plan would allow Johnson to get around Labour opposition to early election, but new date means he would not be able to deliver Brexit in time for polls
Britain could be edging closer to December polls despite the main opposition Labour Party making clear it will not back Boris Johnson’s bid for an early election.
Sources at No 10 say there is tentative support from Downing Street for a plan by the pro-EU Liberal Democrats and Scottish National Party to secure an election on December 9 – three days earlier than the date put forward by the prime minister – via a law requiring only a simple majority in parliament.
Bringing forward the polls would force Johnson to delay debate in parliament on his Brexit withdrawal bill until after any election, depriving him of a possible victory on his trademark issue going into the campaign.
This would mean Johnson’s government having to choose between holding an election to improve its position in parliament and its goal of securing Brexit before that election takes place.
“The challenge is absolutely on [the prime minister], because if he is serious about wanting an election and if he’s genuine about having an election before Christmas, then he can back this bill,” Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson told the BBC on Sunday.
