Corbyn Urged To Delay Snap Election Until November In Bid To Avoid No-Deal Brexit

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell backed up Starmer. “We want to get the legislation secure, Royal Assent, but we’re not going to be tricked or conned by Johnson so we are looking at every way in which having secured the legislation he can’t wriggle out of abiding by the law and implementing it,” he said.

“So Keir along with the other opposition parties, they are looking at every opportunity that we can to secure that.

“And at the moment there’s nothing that Johnson has done in recent weeks that gives us the confidence that he’s going to abide by the law.”

Benn himself said: “We must in my opinion secure that extension to Article 50 otherwise there is a risk that the election would result in us leaving without a deal.”

Shadow Treasury minister Lewis added: “The Tories are on the ropes. It feels at this moment in time that there is still wriggle room and for Boris Johnson, through a multitude of ways, to still ensure that no-deal happens, even if that legislation passed. And we’re hearing from No.10 that they may not respect that piece of legislation.

“Well the sensible thing to do will be to say: OK, we’ll have a general election, but we’ll do it after we have got the extension signed and sealed at the European Council, in legislation, so that we don’t go out on the 31st – and then we can have our election. And in the meantime, let the Tories stew in their own juices, and implode.”

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon attacked Labour’s caution, tweeting: “It’s starting to feel like Labour doesn’t want an election at all… and leaving this PM in place knowing he’ll try every trick in book to get what he wants would be irresponsible.

“Opposition must get bill through and then seek to force election BEFORE parliament prorogued.”