Boris Johnson is ‘preparing to call an election’: reports

Boris Johnson has shot down rumours of a snap election as he warned MPs against voting to stall Brexit.

Boris Johnson has thrown down the gauntlet to his internal political opponents amid threats they will derail his Brexit plans.

Early this morning Australian time outside Number 10 Downing Street in London, Mr Johnson warned them against voting to stall Brexit, with suggestions MPs were planning to delay the withdrawal until January 31.

Mr Johnson said progress had been made towards getting a deal in recent weeks because of his threats to leave without a deal on the current scheduled date of October 31.

Rumours are swirling that Boris Johnson will call a snap election. Picture: AP

He said he would never ask Brussels for a delay to Brexit.

“We’re leaving on the 31st of October no ifs or buts,” he said.

“I’m encouraged by the progress we have been making.

“They (the EU) can see that we want a deal, they can see that we have a clear vision... hey can see we are utterly determined.”

Mr Johnson warned MPs against voting to delay Brexit on Tuesday, when an alliance believed to include some of his own party have plotted to take over government business.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn slammed Boris Johnson, calling him a “phony, populist cabal”. Picture: Getty Images

“If they do, they will plainly drop the legs out from under the UK position,” he said.

“To show our friends in Brussels we are united, MPs should vote against (Labour leader Jeremy) Corbyn’s pointless delay.”

There had been reports on Monday that Mr Johnson could call an election for as early as October 10, which would become a defacto second vote on whether the UK should leave the European Union.

Mr Johnson said after those reports appeared: “I don’t want an election, you don’t want an election, let’s get on with the people’s agenda.

“Let’s come together and get it done, let’s get Brexit done by October the 31st.”

Mr Johnson has said he wants to get a deal but has consistently argued the only way that Europe will bend to demands is if they think that the UK will leave without a deal.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair warned Mr Corbyn, a veteran socialist, to avoid what he cast as an election “elephant trap” Mr Johnson had laid for Labour. Picture: AP

That would cause a potential bloodbath in the European and UK economies, with Ireland at risk of significant disruption and major unemployment.

Mr Johnson has warned any MPs who plan to vote against him will not be given the chance to stand again for the Conservative party at the next election - effectively saying back me or your sacked.

The Conservative Party is leading in the polls and could pick up a majority of 28 seats if he went to the polls, although it is a form of electoral Russian Roulette.

Former Australian Labor leader Bill Shorten and Hillary Clinton are the most glaring recent examples of when the polls have been spectacularly wrong.

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Anti-Brexit demonstrators protest outside the Cabinet Office in London as Boris Johnson called an emergency cabinet meeting. Picture: AP

Rumors had swirled that Mr Johnson might try to trigger a no-confidence vote - taking his message directly to the people to seek their support. But because of a largely untried law passed in 2011, he needs the support of two-thirds of Parliament to seek an election.

In this case, that means getting the support of the Labour Party. Labour might see such support as a trap - even though the party has been pressing for a general election since Jeremy Corbyn was elevated to leader in 2015. Mr Corbyn urged opposition parties to join together, saying the events in Parliament this week may be the last opportunity to stop a no-deal Brexit. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has warned that politicians are at a critical juncture.

“In modern history, there’s never been a more important moment for politicians to put country before tribe and national interest before self-interest,” Blair said in remarks at the Institute for Government on Monday.

Larry, the Downing Street cat, was unfussed by all the drama at No. 10. Picture: AFP

An election would open up three main options: a Brexit-supporting government under Mr Johnson, a Labour government led by Corbyn or a hung parliament that could lead to a coalition or minority government of some kind.

After Mr Johnson moved to suspend parliament ahead of Brexit, opponents of a no-deal exit are seeking to overturn his decision in the courts. Hearings are due this week.

Amber Rudd, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Minister for Women and Equalities leaves the Cabinet office past some anti-Brexit protesters in London. Picture: AP

Originally published as Boris Johnson is ‘preparing to call an election’: reports