Which route will MPS take?

Fixed-term Parliaments Act

The Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA) allows a general election to be called if MPS vote in favour of parliament being dissolved.

Unlike in most votes, a “supermajority” of two thirds of MPS is required to call an election. In practice this means that the Prime Minister needs the support of a substantial number of Labour MPS for an election to be called.

The Government could bring this motion more than once if it loses the first time.

The Prime Minister does not have to declare the date of the election prior to the vote, which has led to uneasiness on the opposition benches that Mr Johnson could change any proposed date after Parliament’s approval.

One-line bill

There is a simple way around the Fixed-term Parliaments Act, which is to pass a short bill that states parliament will hold a general election on a specific date, passed by simple majority in the Commons.

Unlike a motion under the FTPA, a one-line bill can be amended in the Commons.

In the wake of the Conservatives’ loss of majority, the use of a one-line bill could see the Opposition change the date of the election to after Oct 31.

Pushing an election to November or beyond would allow Labour to insist on a delay to Article 50 first.

Confidence vote

The Opposition can call a confidence vote in the Government, which must pass by simple majority in the Commons.

If the House votes that it no longer has confidence in the Government, a 14-day “cooling-off ” period is triggered, in which the Government, and then the Opposition, is allowed the chance to form a majority.

If neither side has the support of a majority of MPS, then a general election is called, and the incumbent prime minister may choose the date.