Boris Johnson’s message to MPs is that if they vote tomorrow for another delay, then Wednesday there will be vote on general election. MPs gone, no 14 days, no legislation on extension. Election on 14 October. Government source: ‘who does country want to sort it out on 18 Oct at EU?’
UPDATE, 6.27pm: “I hope MPs won’t [vote for Brexit delay]…There are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels for a delay…I don’t want an election”. Hmmm. He didn’t say he would force election if he loses tomorrow but those close to him tell me categorically he would.
UPDATE, 6.48pm: To confirm, a minister tells me Cabinet approved that tomorrow’s vote on backbenchers taking control of order paper will be seen as confidence vote. So Cabinet agreed that there will be vote on Wednesday to hold a general election on 14 October if Boris Johnson is defeated, just 24 hours away.
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