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Boris Johnson to ask MPs to back election on 12 December Boris Johnson to ask MPs to back election on 12 December
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson has abandoned his “do or die” pledge to leave the EU by 31 October and will ask MPs next week to back a pre-Christmas general election.Boris Johnson has abandoned his “do or die” pledge to leave the EU by 31 October and will ask MPs next week to back a pre-Christmas general election.
The prime minister has written to Jeremy Corbyn saying he will give parliament one last opportunity to scrutinise his withdrawal agreement bill and “get Brexit done” by 6 November.The prime minister has written to Jeremy Corbyn saying he will give parliament one last opportunity to scrutinise his withdrawal agreement bill and “get Brexit done” by 6 November.
But he will also table a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act next Monday asking for an early general election. MPs would then vote on the motion the same day.But he will also table a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act next Monday asking for an early general election. MPs would then vote on the motion the same day.
In his letter, Johnson said: “An election on 12 December will allow a new parliament and government to be in place by Christmas. If I win a majority in this election, we will then ratify the great new deal that I have negotiated, get Brexit done in January and the country will move on.”In his letter, Johnson said: “An election on 12 December will allow a new parliament and government to be in place by Christmas. If I win a majority in this election, we will then ratify the great new deal that I have negotiated, get Brexit done in January and the country will move on.”
I have written to Jeremy Corbyn: this Parliament must get Brexit done now or a NEW Parliament must get Brexit done so the country can move on pic.twitter.com/PekfFRsR9FI have written to Jeremy Corbyn: this Parliament must get Brexit done now or a NEW Parliament must get Brexit done so the country can move on pic.twitter.com/PekfFRsR9F
Johnson had previously said he would wait for confirmation from the EU27 of the Brexit delay that he reluctantly requested on Saturday before deciding on his next steps.Johnson had previously said he would wait for confirmation from the EU27 of the Brexit delay that he reluctantly requested on Saturday before deciding on his next steps.
He wrote to Brussels to ask for an extension to article 50, as the so-called Benn act required, after MPs refused to fast-track his deal through parliament in time for the 31 October deadline. He sent a letter to Brussels asking for an extension to article 50, as the Benn act required, after MPs refused to fast-track his deal through parliament in time for the 31 October deadline.
The election motion will need the support of two-thirds of the Commons, equating to 434 MPs.The election motion will need the support of two-thirds of the Commons, equating to 434 MPs.
Labour has said it will support a general election once the extension is in place – a decision the EU27 are expected to confirm on Friday.Labour has said it will support a general election once the extension is in place – a decision the EU27 are expected to confirm on Friday.
Johnson told Sky News: “The way to get Brexit done is I think be reasonable with parliament and say if they genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it, but they have to agree to a general election on 12 December and that’s the way forward, because this parliament has been going on for a long time without a majority.”Johnson told Sky News: “The way to get Brexit done is I think be reasonable with parliament and say if they genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it, but they have to agree to a general election on 12 December and that’s the way forward, because this parliament has been going on for a long time without a majority.”
He added: “It’s refusing to deliver Brexit. It’s impossible to deliver legislation. It’s time, frankly, the opposition summoned up the nerve to submit themselves to the judgment of our collective boss, which is the UK.”He added: “It’s refusing to deliver Brexit. It’s impossible to deliver legislation. It’s time, frankly, the opposition summoned up the nerve to submit themselves to the judgment of our collective boss, which is the UK.”
Earlier, Johnson met his cabinet, some of whom, including the Northern Ireland secretary, Julian Smith, were reluctant to support the idea of entering into a general election campaign without yet having left the EU.Earlier, Johnson met his cabinet, some of whom, including the Northern Ireland secretary, Julian Smith, were reluctant to support the idea of entering into a general election campaign without yet having left the EU.
The Brexit bill passed its second reading in the Commons on Saturday by a larger than expected majority of 30, and Smith believed that would be sufficient to carry it through all its stages in parliament.The Brexit bill passed its second reading in the Commons on Saturday by a larger than expected majority of 30, and Smith believed that would be sufficient to carry it through all its stages in parliament.
But some of his colleagues, including the chancellor, Sajid Javid, feared that the majority could easily melt away and encouraged Johnson to head straight to the polls. But some of his colleagues, including the chancellor, Sajid Javid, feared the majority could easily melt away and encouraged Johnson to head straight to the polls.
Some Labour backbenchers may be reluctant to support a general election, even if the leadership endorse the idea, hoping instead to secure a second EU referendum.Some Labour backbenchers may be reluctant to support a general election, even if the leadership endorse the idea, hoping instead to secure a second EU referendum.
Labour twice blocked Johnson’s plan for a mid-October election, warning that Johnson could use the period during which parliament was suspended to take the UK out of the EU without a deal. Labour twice blocked the prime minister’s plan for a mid-October election, warning that Johnson could use the period during which parliament was suspended to take the UK out of the EU without a deal.
Boris JohnsonBoris Johnson
ConservativesConservatives
House of CommonsHouse of Commons
Brexit
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