Boris Johnson could back SNP and Lib Dem election bid if MPs reject 12 December poll
2 min read
Boris Johnson could end up supporting an SNP and Lib Dem bid to hold an election on 9 December if Parliament rejects his own proposal for a pre-Christman poll, it has emerged.
The Prime Minister will give MPs a vote on Monday on his plan to go to the country on 12 December.
But because it will be on a motion under the Fixed Term Parliament Act, it will need the support of two-thirds of the Commons - 434 MPs - in order to pass.
With Jeremy Corbyn expected to order Labour MPs to abstain, there is no chance of it receiving the necessary level of support.
In a surprise development, Downing Street has indicated the PM could then "look at" the joint SNP-Lib Dem plan for a Commons vote on Tuesday on whether to have an election on 9 December instead.
A Number 10 source said: "Jeremy Corbyn and MPs’ refusal to deliver Brexit is damaging our democracy and causing harm for millions of businesses. Leaving this Parliament in place means not just three months more of pointless delay, but potentially fruther extensions and delay after that.
"We can’t allow Parliament to waste 2020 the way it has wasted 2019 – the country wants Brexit done so we can move on and focus on the public’s priorities.
"On Monday, MPs will vote on an election on 12 December so we can get a new Parliament. 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 comments come despite Conservative chairman describing the SNP-Lib Dem plan as a "gimmick".
He told the Andrew Marr Show: "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."
Meanwhile, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell appeared to break ranks with Jeremy Corbyn by suggesting that Labour supports holding a second referendum before an election.
He tweeted: "Stunt by the Lib Dems & SNP this morning looks like it’s come a cropper with Johnson stealing idea for own purposes.The Lib Dems & SNP may have given up on a People’s Vote. We haven’t. It’s the only way to resolve this issue and stand any chance of bringing country back together."
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