ELECTION IN OCTOBER’

After months of tedious EU referendum arguments, amazingly, politicians are getting ready for a...

BRITAIN faces a General Election in October unless David Cameron delivers a thumping majority to stay in Europe.

The three main parties are now gearing up for a second election in just over a year.

With the EU vote looming, plans are being made to ensure parties are ready to deal with the fallout including Mr Cameron’s departure.

Former deputy PM Lord Prescott says in the Sunday Mirror: “Even if he wins the referendum, the outers will move to shift him from No 10.

“Jeremy Corbyn is absolutely right to get Labour on a war footing for a snap election. We need to build a platform, a manifesto and a campaign now so we can win it.” Lib Dem sources said they were also preparing. Senior Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said the effect of the EU vote could see an election called as early as October as the Government struggles with its tiny Commons majority of just 12.

Mr Bridgen said: “Whether the result of the EU vote is Leave or Remain, we’ll probably need a new leader of the Conservatives to pull the party together again.

“Any new leader will need a mandate. At the moment I don’t think we have a workable majority in the House of Commons.

“I think we’ll end up going to the country pretty quickly.

“At the moment we can’t get anything through on deficit reduction or anything contentious because we don’t have the majority.

“If Cameron and Remain win by 15 per cent – or at least more than 10 – then he might be safe. Otherwise he’s in serious trouble.”

The Tories’ small majority means any rebellion can lead to defeat. Ministers have been forced into U-turns including on tax credits and child refugees.

And many MPs fear few laws can be passed in the coming months. Mr Bridgen said: “We don’t want to drift on as a zombie government, unable to address the deficit and other important issues.”

A 2011 law says parliaments last five years unless MPs vote for an early election.