Odds slashed on another General Election in 2017 as Theresa May urged to take Britain back to the polls after shock Article 50 legal ruling
PM’s timetable for Brexit left in disarray after bombshell judgment with fears MPs could tamper plans for exiting EU
ODDS on another General Election have been slashed as Theresa May is being urged to take Britain back to the polls after the shock Article 50 legal ruling.
The Prime Minister’s timetable for Brexit was left in disarray after the bombshell judgment, with fears MPs could now tamper with her plans for exiting the EU.
Senior Tories are saying that if the Government’s appeal to the Supreme Court fails and legislation is needed to begin the process of withdrawal, then an election should be called.
Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary, even went as far as to say Mrs May would have “no other option but to go to the country” if MPs tried to tamper with her negotiations.
"Anything that risks having 650 people in the process would be utter chaos,” he added, referring to the number of MPs in the House of Commons.
Dominic Raab, the former justice minister, said: “The elephant in the room here is if we get to the stage where [MPs] are not willing to allow this negotiation to even begin.
“I think there must be an increased chance that we will need to go to the country again.
“That would be a mistake and I don’t think those trying to frustrate the verdict in the referendum will be rewarded.”
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The PM's official spokesperson played down the idea yesterday, telling journalists: "Our position has been clear that there shouldn’t be an election until 2020 – and that remains the Prime Minister’s view.”
But Nigel Farage called another election in 2017 the “best thing Theresa May could do now”, as he joined the chorus of voices pushing towards another ballot.
Writing in the, the Ukip leader said: "It is unlikely that Labour MPs, led by a man they don't believe in, would be keen on facing the likely electoral oblivion that would follow.
“It also seems likely that some on the Prime Minister's own backbenches, who are seeking to overrule the will of the British people, would be unlikely to support an early general election either.
"The establishment, in denial after the referendum result, still just don't get it. The British people are not simply going to let this incredible establishment arrogance lie.
“I suspect even more radical political change is on the way."
Mrs May only has a slim majority of 15 and she may gamble on trying to increase that with an early election.
However there are several hurdles, even if she wanted to go though with it– which she has not said in public she does.
Before the introduction of the Fixed Term Parliament Act in 2010 a PM could simply call an election whenever they wanted to.
But the law change, brought in by the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition, means the date for the next election is already set in stone – May 2020.
The only way it could be brought forward is if two-thirds of MPs vote for it, or the Government loses a vote of no confidence and other parties cannot form an alternative administration within 14 days of such a move.