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Lib Dems and SNP set to offer Johnson path to snap election – Sky News, Sky.com

Lib Dems and SNP set to offer Johnson path to snap election – Sky News, Sky.com


             

The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party have joined forces to back a change in the law to try to trigger a general election in December, which would give Boris Johnson the snap poll he has been demanding.

The prime minister has proposed holding an election on 12 December but needs two-thirds of the 650 MPs in parliament to back his plan in a Commons vote on Monday.

It will be his third attempt at getting support for the UK to go to the polls.

Most opposition parties, including the Lib Dems and SNP, have opposed the idea but the two pro-Remain parties signalled on Saturday evening they would back a December election if it was separated from Brexit legislation.

In a move that circumvents Labor’s indecision, the Lib Dems and SNP are reportedly set to offer Mr Johnson an even easier route to an election, requiring just a simple majority in the Commons.

If the European Union gives the UK a Brexit delay until 31 January, as requested in Mr Johnson’s letter to Brussels last week, the Lib Dems and SNP are prepared to give the PM the opportunity to have an election – but on new terms, not Mr Johnson’s.

  

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and SNP leader Ian Blackford

      

Image:        Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and SNP leader Ian Blackford have co-signed a letter to the EU      

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, confirmed he had co-signed a letter with Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson to European Council president Donald Tusk in which they sought an extension until 31 January at the earliest so that the “risk of a devastating no-deal Brexit” could be removed.

 

    

        

                                      Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street prior to PMQ's                                                                                                                                                       
Boris Johnson launches new bid for general election on 12 December                

He said: “If that meaningful extension is secured we will then work together to bring forward an election this year – but on parliament’s terms, not on the prime minister’s.

” This is the only way to unlock what has become a deadlocked parliament and for the UK and the EU to move forward. “

The Observer reports that the parties’ MPs have drawn up a bill that would allow Mr Johnson to secure a December election with a simple majority of MPs, by-passing the need for two-thirds support.

The draft law would grant an election on 9 December – three days before the PM’s proposed date and, crucially, when more students are still at university to cast their votes in Remain-supporting target swing seats.

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move indicates a split between opposition leaders on whether to go for a December campaign, with Labor putting off their decision on how to vote on Monday asthey trail the Tories in opinion Polls.

Jeremy Corbyn said he wanted to wait until EU ambassadors had finalized their decision, expected on Monday or Tuesday, over the length of an extension for Article 50.

Speaking on a campaign visit on Saturday, the Labor leader said: “We will be very happy to fight an election once all vestiges of a no- deal exit from the EU have been taken off the table. “

Britain is due to leave the EU on 31 October but parliament has passed a bill forcing it to secure a delay to prevent the country from leaving without a deal to smooth the process .

    

        

                                      Sky's Lewis Goodall explains how to win a general election.                                                                                                                                                       
As the UK prepares for a general election, Sky’s Lewis Goodall explains how to win one.                

The prime minister used an article in the Sunday papers toaccuse MPs of holding the country “hostage”by refusing a general election.

Outlining his fear that the Commons will “waste the next three months like it’s wasted the last three years”, Mr Johnson is reiterating his “reasonable offer” that, in exchange for more time to consider his Brexit deal, MPs must back a 12 December election.

A new Opinium poll published on Saturday sawthe Conservatives increase their lead over Laboras they moved t o 40% support.

Mr Corbyn’s party remained at 24%, with the Lib Dems on 15%.

Sophy Ridge will be talking to Lib Dem MP Chuka Ummuna about the potential general election and all things Brexit from 8. 30 am this morning on Sky News

    


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