Get set for an election

A SENIOR Tory last night predicted Mrs May’s defeat could lead to an election ‘within days or weeks’.

Charles Walker, vice-chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, said the Government would be unable to go on if it failed to deliver on Brexit.

Asked what the result of defeat for Mrs May’s deal would be, he told the BBC: ‘As sure as night follows day there will be a general election within a matter of days or weeks. It is not sustainable. We cannot continue to behave like this as a Government. It is not fit for purpose. We are not doing what we need to do, which is govern the country properly. We are letting the country down.’

Downing Street insisted yesterday that Mrs May was not considering an election. Under the Fixed Terms Parliament Act the next election is not due until 2022, but MPs would find it hard to resist a poll if the Government grinds to a standstill.