Steerpike Steerpike

The 50 times Jeremy Corbyn has called for an election this year

Jeremy Corbyn backtracked on one of his core political messages yesterday, when he told Boris Johnson that he no longer wants a general election. The Labour leader is now briefing that his MPs will not vote for an election until a bill has been passed blocking a no-deal Brexit.

Is this not quite the U-turn you ask? Mr S certainly thinks so.

A quick glance at the House of Commons’ records shows that Corbyn has demanded an immediate election 16 times in Parliament in 2019. Over the same period, the Labour leader has called for an election on Twitter a whopping 34 times as well, bringing the total to 50.

It seems that Corbyn’s many calls for the Conservatives to ‘hold an election now!’ at almost every opportunity has suddenly become ‘not right now thanks’, after Boris Johnson called his bluff. 

Below are all the times Corbyn has called for an election this year:

3rd Sept 2019:

‘We are ready for a general election, ready to take on this Government and ready to win a general election’

2nd September 2019:

‘The General Election will be vital in deciding the direction of our country’

2nd September 2019:

‘We are ready for a General Election, which will be a once in a generation chance for a real change of direction for our country’

19th August 2019:

‘A General Election triggered by the Tory Brexit crisis puts our country at a crossroads, a once-in-a-generation chance for a real change of direction.

Britain’s best politics newsletters

You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Steerpike
Written by
Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

Topics in this article

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in