Boris Johnson told Jeremy Corbyn to “man up” and back his plans for a pre-Christmas general election last night, as the SNP signalled they would now support the move.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford broke ranks with other opposition leaders yesterday – who have said they cannot support an election until “no-deal is taken off the table” – to say his party could now support an early election.
Mr Blackford said the SNP’s 35 MPs would be willing to back a Bill to bypass the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, which gives the prime minister power to chose the election date, and specify December 5 in law as the date of the election.
The move was welcomed by Tory MP Bernard Jenkin who, appearing alongside Mr Blackford on the BBC, said: “I’m sure Boris Johnson would cooperate with the SNP to stick through a one line Bill for an early general election.”
The Liberal Democrats condemned the move, however, with one party source telling the Press and Journal: “Ian Blackford is really playing with fire.
“Without an extension, we could crash out without a deal.”
SNP MPs also privately described the move as a “misstep”.
The row came as the European Union decided to delay a decision on whether to grant a delay to the Brexit deadline.
France is reported to be ready to allow the UK to leave without a deal on October 31 unless the Commons agree to a general election or ratify Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal.
Mr Johnson said yesterday that it was still “possible” for the UK to leave on Halloween.
He said: “At the moment it’s up to the EU to decide whether or not they’re going to give us an extension.
“As things stand we can leave on October 31. Parliament has decided to ask Brussels to keep us in the EU. That’s not my policy it’s not something I support.”
Mr Johnson added: “I’m totally against it. We should be leaving on October 31.
“At the moment the EU is trying to make up its mind what to do. We should be leaving on October 31.”
