Boris Johnson is facing a battle to get his Queen’s Speech passed today, but will not quit even if MPs vote it down, No 10 has said. It would be the first time a government had lost its legislative programme since 1924 – when PM Stanley Baldwin was forced to resign.
It comes as Mr Johnson is preparing to push for a pre-Christmas election after talks with Labour ended without any agreement on a timetable for parliament to pass his Brexit deal.
Labour’s shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, when asked if the party would vote for an election if the EU grants an extension, said “that’s our position” – but refused to answer directly whether she wanted an election this side of Christmas.
What will happen if Boris Johnson loses the Queen’s Speech vote?
Politics Explained: A prime minister staying in office having lost such a major vote would be unprecedented
Jeremy Corbyn says that he wants a public vote but, Sean O’Grady writes, whether he should want one is another question entirely
Jeremy Corbyn says that he wants a public vote but whether he should want one is another question entirely
Senior Tory denies Boris Johnson’s cabinet split over early general election
Labour frontbencher also says party will back an election after EU grants delay – despite splits among MPs.