Labour in turmoil as splits erupt over whether to back Boris Johnson's snap election call
3 min read
Labour has been plunged into chaos after deep splits emerged over whether it should support Boris Johnson's bid to hold a general election on 12 December.
The party's MPs were initially told they should abstain when the Commons votes on it on Monday, although they could vote against it if they wished.
It is understood that Jeremy Corbyn had agreed that position with Labour's whips.
But within minutes, the Labour leader announced that the party would not make a final decision until Friday, when the EU is expected to announce how long a Brexit extension it is willing to offer the UK.
The apparent U-turn came amid deep splits among senior Labour figures about the best way forward.
Those closest to Mr Corbyn, including Jon Trickett and Ian Lavery, believe the party should back a snap election.
But others, including John McDonnell, Tom Watson and Keir Starmer, think Labour should instead push for a second EU referendum.
Without Labour's support, the Prime Minister would have no chance of gaining the two-thirds majority he needs to pass an early election motion under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.
One pro-Remain Labour source told PoliticsHome: "Several Shadow Cabinet Ministers are in a state of utter despair that we are walking into the two-mile wide trap that's been set for the party, and that nobody in Jeremy's office or his Pro-Leave faction seems either to understand or care."
Adding to Mr Corbyn's woes is the fact that dozens of his own MPs are likely to ignore any order to back a December election.
Asked if they would vote for it, one told PoliticsHome: "Only if someone gives me strongly hallucinogenic drugs immediately prior to the vote.
"Bring on the Withdrawal Agreement Bill and let’s see how long that coalition of ERG ultras, wet Tories and Labour leavers holds together."
Another added: "I would probably be fine if there was an election, but I’m not prepared to throw good colleagues under the bus at the behest of Ian Lavery."
Mr Johnson has said he will give MPs until 6 November - the date when he plans to dissolve Parliament - to debate the bill, which would bring his Brexit deal into law.
But the other opposition parties have also said suggested they will withhold support for an election unless the chances of a no-deal Brexit are removed entirely.
For the SNP, Pete Wishart said: "We need to see that extension secured and that extension must be long enough to protect us from the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit. We will not be pushed by this Prime Minister."
And Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: "This is an increasingly desperate Prime Minister who has run out of road.
"The UK government has no coherent plan to end the Brexit chaos and a general election will not solve the crisis
"Our priority remains delivering a final say referendum, rather than an election, as the clearest way to end the Brexit chaos."
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