As EU leaders mull over what length of extension to grant the UK, talk in Westminster is focused on whether an election is imminent. The line from No. 10 is that Boris Johnson will push for a general election if the EU agrees to delay Brexit until January.
Earlier today Johnson met with Jeremy Corbyn to discuss a new programme motion – this opens the possibility of Johnson trying to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill before any election. Even though the government’s original programme motion (which would have allowed the UK to leave by 31st October) failed, the bill did pass its second reading. That means there could be the votes to pass it into law – depending on amendments.
However, the meeting proved a mixed bag. Johnson – accompanied by Dominic Cummings and Chief Whip Mark Spencer – were interested in Labour’s position on a general election if an extension is secured.
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