UK set for snap election as Labour finally backs Boris Johnson's push for December poll
3 min read
Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed that Labour will back Boris Johnson’s push for a snap general election after a three-month extension to the Brexit process was confirmed.
The Labour leader’s decision comes ahead of a Commons debate later on Tuesday on the Government’s Early Parliamentary General Election Bill, which calls for a poll on 12 December.
It comes despite the party having previously ruled out a vote in the run-up to Christmas out of fears that it would leave students “disenfranchised”.
Addressing the shadow Cabinet on Tuesday morning however, Mr Corbyn said: “I have consistently said that we are ready for an election and our support is subject to a No Deal Brexit being off the table.”
“We have now heard from the EU that the extension of Article 50 to 31 January has been confirmed, so for the next three months, our condition of taking No Deal off the table has now been met.
“We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen.”
Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon added: "So Jeremy has made it clear, John McDonnell has made it clear, the team has decided it will be backing a general election because we can’t leave these Tories in power any longer."
The move could see Labour splits burst into the open however, with a raft of backbenchers already ruling out supporting an election over fears around the party’s low poll ratings and by those who want a second referendum first.
One Labour source told PoliticsHome: “At least their last big decision this Parliament is consistent with every other decision they’ve taken: absolutely bloody useless.”
Another said: "He’s a f***wit. Let the SNP and Lib Dems off the hook again. Totally destroyed any chance we have of stopping Johnson."
Meanwhile Hove MP, Peter Kyle, a leading backer of a fresh referendum, said: “This is the biggest mistake since we voted to allow the referendum in the first place.
“It’s my only regret as an MP that I voted to allow it then and I’m not making the same mistake twice."
But shadow minister Laura Pidcock - a key ally of the Labour leader - tweeted: “BRING IT ON!”
That was echoed by fellow frontbencher Clive Lewis, who said: “Bring it.”
Downing Street sources told PoliticsHome on Tuesday morning that ministers could accept demands from the SNP and Liberal Democrats for the vote to be held on 11 December.
Mr Burgon later suggested to the BBC that Labour could try and amend the legislation so that 16 and 17-year-olds and EU nationals are eligible to vote in the poll.
The Labour frontbencher said: "We want to get votes for 16-year-olds, we’ll be pushing to allow EU nationals who can vote in other elections to vote in this general election, but even if we don't get those things that we really want when push comes to shove we’re going to support a general election."
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