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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.’

29th July 2019:

A General Election is ‘your choice to have your say in our future’

28th July 2019:

‘Are we ready for a General Election? Absolutely.’

27th July 2019:

‘We are ready for a General Election whenever it comes.’

25th July 2019:

‘You deserve your say whether that’s in a public vote on Brexit or in a General Election – so that everyone has the chance to decide the future of our country’

25th July 2019:

‘Join us outside parliament this evening to demand a General Election so the people of this country can choose who leads us’

24th July 2019:

‘The best thing that the right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip could do later on today when he takes office is to call a general election and let the people decide their future?’

24th July 2019:

‘We need a General Election’

24th July 2019:

‘Our movement can win an election whenever it comes.’

23rd July 2019:

‘Join us this Thursday to demand a General Election so the people of this country can choose who leads us.’

23rd July 2019:

‘The people of our country should decide who becomes the Prime Minister in a General Election.’

22nd July 2019:

‘Our movement can win an election whenever it comes’

21st July 2019:

‘Join us this Thursday evening outside Parliament to demand one’

18th July 2019:

‘Join us this Thursday evening outside Parliament to demand one’

7th June 2019:

‘The new Tory leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate General Election.’

1st June 2019:

‘The next PM should be chosen not by the US president, nor by 100,000 unrepresentative Tory party members, but by the British people in a general election.’

27th May 2019:

‘We need a General Election to decide the future of this country’

24th May 2019:

‘It’s time for a General Election’

24th May 2019:

‘Let the people decide our country’s future: we need a General Election now.’

24th May 2019:

‘Whoever becomes the new Tory leader must let the people decide our country’s future, through an immediate General Election.’

22nd May 2019:

‘That is why it is time for a general election to break the Brexit deadlock and give the country a say’

15th April 2019:

‘We’re ready for a General Election whenever it comes.’

1st April 2019:

‘We are ready for a General Election.’

29th March 2019:

‘Ultimately there will be no alternative other than to have a general election to decide who rules this country in the future.’

29th March 2019:

‘Decide the future of this country through a general election’

12th March 2019:

‘It is time we had a general election so that the people can choose who their Government should be.’

27th February 2019:

‘We’ll continue to push for a close economic relationship based on our credible alternative plan or a General Election.’

16th January 2019:

‘I truly believe that a general election would be the best outcome for this country.’

16th January 2019:

‘A general election is the best outcome for the country, as the Labour Party conference agreed last September. A general election would give new impetus to negotiations, with a new Prime Minister, with a new mandate’

16th January 2019:

‘I look forward to testing opinion at the ballot box in a general election’

16th January 2019:

‘It is the duty of this House to show the lead where the government have failed, and to pass a motion of no confidence so that the people of this country can decide who their MPs are, who their Government are and who will deal with the crucial issues facing the people of this country.’

16th January 2019:

‘We need a General Election now.’

15th January 2019:

‘Labour believes that a general election would be the best outcome for the country’

15th January 2019:

‘The people need to be able to take back control, and a general election would give them the opportunity to decide who their MPs were, who their Government were, and who would negotiate on their behalf. It would give a new Government the mandate that is needed to break the deadlock that has been brought to the House by this government.’

15th January 2019:

‘We need an election to have the chance to vote for a government that can bring people together’

14th January 2019:

‘It is time for a general election; it is time for a new Government.’

14th January 2019:

‘This is why we need a general election’

13th January 2019:

‘We’re ready for a General Election.’

10th January 2019:

‘To break the deadlock over Theresa May’s botched Brexit deal, a General Election is the most practical and democratic option.’

10th January 2019:

‘Call a General Election and let the people decide.’

9th January 2019:

‘Will the Prime Minister do the right thing- let the people have a real say and call a general election?’

8th January 2019:

‘A General Election is the best way forward to give a new government a mandate.’

23rd December 2018:

‘In 2019, there may be a General Election and I can’t wait.’

4th December 2018:

‘If the Government cannot govern and cannot command a majority of the House, then the great British tradition is that those governments resign and we have a general election.’

4th December 2018:

‘They should make way and have an election. That is our priority.’

October 1st, 2018:

‘We need a General Election so we can implement Labour’s plan to transform Britain.’

30th September, 2018:

‘We need a General Election and I’m ready for it. Bring it on.’

So what has changed now? Mr S wonders perhaps if it has anything to do with how well Boris Johnson is doing in the polls…

Steerpike
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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

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