What should the Prime Minister do first?

Pacifico

But the EU have already said that they will allow a delay for a GE - so all it needs is for Labour to agree to the 12th December.

chopples

I thought the EU had confirmed an extension but not the length of it? Apols if I have missed something

Edit.... I think I understand now, EU are waiting for confirmation of an election before deciding the length, labour won't endorse an election until extension is granted, what a mess....

richp007

I'm sure the EU will expect Johnson to bring back his WA if Corbyn doesn't go for the election. Shorter extension (perhaps in line with France's wishes) for the WA, longer extension for an election.

I imagine Corbyn - perhaps even everyone's friend Bercow - will be contacting the EU to confirm the situation for themselves regarding an election.

It's absolutely impractical to all to have the leave date in the middle of an election campaign. With Parliament dissolved.

chopples

A flextension to the end of jan makes the most sense imo, allows early departure if deal ratified with the security of a bonafide end date to cover an election, assuming election held early Dec.

Liquid101

Yes - don’t see any issue with this. Of course, it is highly unlikely this deal will get through parliament in its current form with or without an election.

tapzilla2k

That would be a combination of a people's vote and the removal of the transition peroid not being extendable at the end of 2020. Which would anger the ERG quite a bit, as some of them see it as ensuring a No Deal Brexit.

The last time an election was held in December (1923 I think), it resulted in a hung parliament.

This is all about positioning an election that suits Corbyn or Boris better. There's no bluffing going on, it's political engineering. If Corbyn can fight an election on Domestic issues then he'll probably do better than expected. Boris needs it to be about Brexit.

springtide

Resign?

It looks like he has broken his promise?  By the 31st, “Do or die”

I think any MP of sound mind should block everything he proposes he isn’t someone who can be trusted.

springtide

The EU will most likely give an extension and Labour will be in a better position to win a GE if Boris achieves nothing over the next 12 months.

it’s all about timing. You never know, in 12 months Corbyn might retire!

Greg Hook

Corbyn has no chance if winning a GE. The sooner everyone in Labour realises that the sooner we can get a decent leader and bring the Labour Party back to the forefront.

They are so far behind in the polls, it is laughable that anyone thinks Labour can do anything.

richp007

I agree with the first part of your post, not at all with the second part.

Many Labour voters will still just vote Labour because they're Labour. Regardless of Corbyn. I still see Labour showing second in most polls, therefore they'd still be the main opposition. Not sure your assertion of them not being able to do anything is a little off the mark.

Politics in this country still looks set to be dominated by the main two parties going forward. Regardless of Brexit and who the leaders are.

There simply isn't anything of note amongst the rest to challenge them.