EU cautious over extension as MPs argue about snap election to break Brexit deadlock
Jeremy Corbyn will confirm the Labour position on a snap election when the EU's extension is announced.
Friday 25 October 2019 11:29, UK
Chancellor Sajid Javid has told Sky News an election is needed to "put an end to this dysfunctional parliament" as the EU considers granting a further Brexit delay.
While admitting a December poll was "not ideal", the Tory cabinet minister argued it was needed to focus minds at Westminster on the UK's withdrawal.
Boris Johnson wants an on 12 December, offering parliamentary time until 6 November to allow MPs to consider his Brexit deal.
Political opponents are holding out for an extension to be granted and so removing the imminent threat of a no-deal exit, before backing an election.
However, there have been signals that Labour is raising the bar and could seek a further guarantee that the UK would not leave without an agreement, including through legislation.
This could enable the party, divided over going to the polls, to withhold support.
Labour votes in the Commons are needed for Mr Johnson to secure the two-thirds majority required by law to go the country.
Sky's Brussels correspondent Adam Parsons said consensus was building around an extension which would be until 15 November, but could automatically continue until the end of January if the Withdrawal Agreement is not ratified by parliament.
However, there could be a fresh deadlock, with parliament waiting to see what the EU will offer while some in Brussels want to hold out for a decision on an election.
Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier declined to comment as he left a meeting of EU ambassadors on Friday.
Meanwhile, with the existing 31 October deadline still in place, no-deal preparations continue with plans to shut one side of the main motorway to the Port of Dover to general traffic on Monday morning and reserve it for lorries.
The scheme, known as Operation Brock, aims to tackle queues on the M20 caused by delays at the Dover-Calais crossing.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Javid said: "In the first instance, let's get Brexit done... but at the same time let's agree to have a general election to put an end to this dysfunctional parliament, let the British people decide."
He added: "We need a deadline. Having an election, which means you would have to dissolve parliament on 6 November, will absolutely focus minds in parliament to get Brexit done. That's the priority right now."
On holding a December election, he said: "It's highly unusual and not ideal but what's the alternative.
"If we don't have this election then we will continue with this zombie parliament."
Mr Javid also said the Government would push "again and again" for a poll.
Downing Street has indicated it could effectively "work to rule" if it fails to get an election.
A spokesman for the PM said: "Nothing will come before parliament but the bare minimum.
"We will pursue a general election every day from then onwards and do everything we can to get it."
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Take no-deal off the table and we absolutely support a general election.
"But no-deal must be taken off the table."
But shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said they wanted an "explicit commitment" a no-deal Brexit was off the table before they would be prepared to back an election.
Indicating they could require further legislation, she told the BBC: "The December day is a ludicrous day. We've not had a general election at Christmas for over a century, and there's good reasons for that."
Lib Dem Jo Swinson said: "The Liberal Democrats will not support any election until it is clear that we can avoid crashing out with no-deal, and that needs an extension from the EU."
SNP spokesman Pete Wishart said his party would only back the election when a Brexit delay had been "secured" and added it "must be long enough to protect us from the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit".
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on , , ,
The PM is due to present his election plan in the Commons on Monday.
Under Mr Johnson's planned timetable, parliament would be dissolved on 6 November.
"We have had three years, we have been reasonable, if you want more time you can have it but we must all agree to go for an election on 12 December," Mr Johnson said.
If he succeeds, it would be the first December election since 1923.