Johnson new poll bid

PM wooing Lib Dems & SNP as he goes for December election

CHANCES of an election before Christmas have risen dramatically as Boris Johnson signalled he would work with the Lib Dems and SNP.

Today he will again urge MPS to back a December poll after his “do or die” vow to wrap up Brexit by October 31 failed.

His pledge was in tatters as he accepted the EU’S offer of a Brexit “flextension” until January 31.

MPS on Monday night rejected the PM’S bid for a December 12 election, with Labour abstaining as they fear it would leave the door open to a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Johnson needed a two-thirds majority to win the Commons vote. After it failed he announced his plan to make the second attempt today.

The Government will table a one line bill which only needs to get half of all voting MPS to back it.

It is a high-risk strategy as the bill could be amended to include things such as votes for EU citizens. The PM told the Commons: “We will not allow this paralysis to continue, and... we must proceed straight to an election.”

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford last night said his party would support the new plan for a December 12 election if the PM gave a “cast-iron guarantee” that he would not bring back the Brexit withdrawal bill, adding “we don’t trust this Prime Minister”.

The Lib Dems, who along with the SNP made a move to table a bill for a December 9 election, seemed to be playing hard to get. Leader Jo Swinson said: “If Boris Johnson wants a general election, he could have supported our bill for a general election on December 9.

“Instead, he has chosen to stick to his original plan for December 12th which we have already rejected.”

The PM attempted to win over opposition parties by saying he was scrapping his Brexit bill.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn left the way open to backing the new election bill, saying: “We will scrutinise that bill.”

SLAMS BORIS JOHNSON

LEADER Ms Swinson has say TRYING AGAIN Johnson will attempt to get election