Boris Johnson 'absolutely' rules out election before 31 October Brexit deadline
2 min read
Boris Johnson has “absolutely” ruled out a general election before the latest Brexit deadline of 31 October.
During a visit to Birmingham, the Prime Minister said voters did not want another general election or a referendum.
He said: "The British people voted in 2015, in 2016, in 2017. What they want us to do is deliver on their mandate, come out of the EU on October 31.
"They don't want another electoral event, they don't want a referendum, they don't want a general election. They want us to deliver."
When asked on Friday if he could give voter Brenda from Bristol, who famously responded "not another one" to news of Theresa May’s snap election in 2017, his a guarantee that he would not call an election before 31 October, the new PM replied: “Brenda from Bristol, everyone: absolutely."
Mr Johnson’s response comes amid speculation that the new Conservative leader could launch an election campaign to try to consolidate his power in the Commons.
With a parliamentary majority of just two and the potential for it to drop to just one by the end of next week if the Conservatives lose the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, the Prime Minister will face a major challenge in passing any Brexit deal through the Commons.
On Friday Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney, said Mr Johnson’s comments vow to rid the EU deal of the Irish border backstop in a bid to win over MPs were “very unhelpful”.
“He seems to have made a deliberate decision to set Britain on a collision course with the European Union and with Ireland in relation to the Brexit negotiations," Mr Coveney warned.
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