Jeremy Corbyn wants election as speculation mounts
Labour leader says it is time to ‘let the people decide’ on Brexit
Jeremy Corbyn says the UK “needs” a general election. Speaking in Salford, the Labour leader said a vote “would give the people a choice between two very different directions for the country”.
In words that The Guardian says “put his party on election footing,” Corbyn said: “When a government finds itself without a majority the solution is not to undermine democracy. The solution is to let the people decide and call a general election. It is the people, not an unelected prime minister, who should determine our country's future.”
In separate remarks to Sky News, he said: “Of course, we are the opposition party, we want a general election.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Earlier, Tony Blair had warned Corbyn that an election may be an “elephant trap”.
Blair, a regular critic of Corbyn, said: “Boris Johnson knows that if no-deal Brexit stands on its own as a proposition, it might well fail.
“But if he mixes up the Brexit question with the Corbyn question in a general election, he could succeed, despite a majority being against a no-deal Brexit, because some may fear a Corbyn premiership more.
“He should see an election before Brexit is decided, for the elephant trap it is.”
Corbyn has shrugged off this warning but as the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg said: “It would be rather awkward for him not to, when he and senior Labour politicians have been calling for a general election for such a long time.”
Speculation is mounting across Westminster of an imminent announcement of a general election.
After cabinet ministers were summoned for an emergency cabinet meeting on yesterday afternoon and Boris Johnson made a statement outside Number 10 warning MPs that he will not ask the EU for another extension, The Guardian said the prime minister could seek a snap general election “as early as Wednesday”.
The BBC says “live discussions” are underway in Downing Street about asking Parliament to approve a “snap poll” if MPs wanting to block a no-deal Brexit defeat the government this week.
There are two ways an election could be called this week. The prime minister could call a general election if two-thirds of MPs vote for one. If Labour backed the move, this threshold could be met.
A general election could also be ordered if a motion of no confidence was passed and no alternative government was confirmed within 14 days.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why deepfakes of dead loved ones are big business in China
Under The Radar AI-generated avatars of deceased 'builds on China's long cultural history of communicating with the dead'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 12, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - tips for Mom, worm regards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 brain-busting cartoons about RFK Jr.
Cartoons Artists take on candidate suitability, the Kennedy family, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published