Boris Johnson’s Cabinet ‘split 50/50’ on pre-Christmas general election

Boris Johnson’s Cabinet is divided over whether or not to gamble on a pre-Christmas general election.

The Times reports that the prime minister could make a third attempt to trigger a general election later today by challenging Jeremy Corbyn to agree to a poll as soon as another Article 50 extension is granted by the EU.

However, despite Johnson’s past bullishness about an election, several cabinet ministers, including Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, are not sure it is a good idea.

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Smith and others argue that the government’s majority of 30 on the second reading of the Brexit bill on Tuesday suggests Johnson should press ahead with the withdrawal legislation rather than going to the polls. “Julian’s view is that the numbers are there,” said one ally.

Sky News says that the “major Tory split” has created “serious divisions” in the party, while an unnamed Conservative told The Guardian: “There’s a big, big fight going on, basically. The parliamentary party is split 50/50. Personally, I don’t think an election is a very good idea.”

Another added: “I’d rather we focused more on passing the bill. It would be better to go to voters having finished the job. I feel that’s what most colleagues want.”

The Telegraph says there is also a split among Downing Street aides. Johnson’s most senior adviser, Dominic Cummings, wants the prime minister call a vote on an election as soon as the EU grants an expected extension to Article 50, with 28 November or 5 December “pencilled in as the likely dates” for the election.

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It is understood that his chief of staff, Sir Edward Lister, wants a brief Brexit delay to get the deal through Parliament before taking the victory into a mid-December election.

However, the BBC says: “No 10 sources insisted there were no splits in the cabinet’s strategy.”

If Johnson opts for a snap election, he would either require a vote of no confidence in the government in the Commons or a vote under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (2011), which would need a two-thirds majority.

For the latter, he would need the support of Labour MPs, but it is understood that opposition MPs are also divided over the best way forward, with many opposed to an early poll because they fear Johnson will impose a no-deal Brexit.

Those fears were heightened when it emerged that Johnson again told President of the European Council Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in phone calls that despite the UK’s request for an extension beyond 31 October the PM remained opposed to a delay.