Boris Johnson lost a crunch vote tonight that gives a rebel alliance control of Commons business - with the aim of passing a law to stop the UK crashing out of the EU. The victory for pro-EU MPs came despite Mr Johnson threatening to end the careers of Tories who joined the revolt by deselecting them. Mr Johnson is now poised to launch a bid to trigger a general election, having made clear he would rather go to the country than break his 'do or die' vow to secure Brexit by October 31. A motion to trigger a poll is due to be tabled immediately after the defeat this evening, and put to another crucial vote tomorrow night. However, the law dictates that two-thirds of the Commons must agree to hold an early election, meaning he needs Opposition support - and it is far from clear that Jeremy Corbyn will back one.
The Labour leader has spent years demanding a poll, but senior figures today said they would vote to dissolve parliament if there is a cast-iron guarantee it the ballot will happen before the Brexit deadline. Sources close to shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said the party was looking at 'mechanisms' that could bind the PM to a specific election date. Challenged in the Commons tonight to say he will back an election, Mr Corbyn again refused to give a straight answer. In an extraordinary interview, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry even boasted about blocking a poll. 'I'm not sure. We might vote against, we might abstain. It doesn't matter,' she said.
Speaking after the result, Mr Johnson said Parliament was 'on the brink of wrecking' the Brexit negotiations.
'The people are going to have to choose,' he said.
'I can confirm tonight we are tabling a motion under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.'
A motion to trigger a poll is being this evening, and will be put to another crucial vote tomorrow night.
However, the law dictates that two-thirds of the Commons must agree to hold an early election, meaning he needs Opposition support.
And despite spending years demanding a poll, Jeremy Corbyn said tonight that the No Deal legislation must be passed before a snap poll can happen.
Earlier, sources close to shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer said the party was looking at 'mechanisms' that could bind the PM to a specific election date.
Challenged during the debate in the Commons to say he will back an election, Mr Corbyn had again refused to give a straight answer. 'We are ready for a general election, we are ready to take on this Government and ready to win a General Election to end austerity and poverty across the country,' he said.
In an extraordinary interview, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry even boasted about blocking a poll.
'I'm not sure. We might vote against, we might abstain. It doesn't matter,' she said.
During another day of high drama in Westminster, former minister Phillip Lee dramatically crossed the floor in the Commons earlier and joined the Lib Dems.
As the PM was struggling to defend his Brexit stance in the chamber, Dr Lee walked away from his colleagues and went to sit with Jo Swinson's pro-EU party.
Meanwhile, Justine Greening and Alistair Burt have announced they are standing down at the next election instead of falling into line, and ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond has vowed to fight any bid to deselect him through the courts if necessary.
Well over a dozen Tory MPs are looking certain to go against the government - more than enough to condemn Mr Johnson to defeat.
Via - Dailymail
No comments:
Post a Comment