Robert Peston Robert Peston

Boris Johnson tells rebels: back me or face an early election

Boris Johnson’s message to MPs is that if they vote tomorrow for another delay, then Wednesday there will be vote on general election. MPs gone, no 14 days, no legislation on extension. Election on 14 October. Government source: ‘who does country want to sort it out on 18 Oct at EU?’

UPDATE, 6.27pm: “I hope MPs won’t [vote for Brexit delay]…There are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels for a delay…I don’t want an election”. Hmmm. He didn’t say he would force election if he loses tomorrow but those close to him tell me categorically he would.

UPDATE, 6.48pm: To confirm, a minister tells me Cabinet approved that tomorrow’s vote on backbenchers taking control of order paper will be seen as confidence vote.

Robert Peston
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Robert Peston
Robert Peston is Political Editor of ITV News and host of the weekly political discussion show Peston. His articles originally appeared on his ITV News blog.

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