Brexit: Election plan unveiled
THE leaders of t wo British opposition parties unveiled a plan on Saturday to give British Prime Minister Boris Johnson the snap election he wants – but only if EU leaders delay Brex it until Ja nuar y.
Johnson has tried t wice to ca ll an early election to brea k t he deadlock in the House of Commons over Britain’s departure from the EU and will tr y again in a much anticipated vote on Monday.
But he needs the support of opposition Members of Parliament and they have refused to back a poll until t he risk of a disorderly “no-deal”
Brex it on October 31 is completely removed.
Johnson was forced by law to ask EU leaders last weekend to delay Brex it a f ter MPs ref used to back t he divorce ter ms he st r uck wit h Br ussels.
EU leaders are expected to decide on Monday or early Tuesday whether to grant the three-month delay requested or to set another date.
The Scot t ish Nat iona l Pa r t y (SNP) a nd t he L ibera l Democrats, who bet ween t hem have 54 MPs in t he 650-seat Commons, sa id t hat a t hree-mont h delay to t he end of Ja nua r y would see t hem put forwa rd pla ns for a n ea rly elect ion on Tuesday.
“If t hat meaningful extension is secured we will then work together to bring for ward an election t his year,” said SNP leader Ian Black ford.
He and British Libera l Democrat leader Jo Swinson have laid out t heir offer in a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk.
Johnson has proposed an election on December 12, but only if parliament ratifies his Brex it deal before t hen.
The SNP and Liberal Democrats – who both strongly oppose Brex it – want an election on December 9.
Johnson late on Saturday accused MPs of holding Britain “hostage” by ref using to back an election or a Brex it deal.
“Mil lions of businesses a nd people ca nnot pla n t heir f ut ures, t his para lysis is causing rea l damage a nd t he count r y must move on in 2020,” Johnson sa id in a statement.