Britain could accidentally ‘stumble’ into a general election if MPs remain bitterly divided over Brexit, Sir John Major warns

BRITAIN could accidentally be thrust into another bitter general election if MPs remain divided on Brexit, Sir John Major warned today.

The former Prime Minister said yet another "unpleasant" vote would "ultimately become unavoidable" if the Commons can't agree on a way forward.

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Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show this morning, Sir John said: "I think we could stumble into [an election] by accident if the House of Commons remains deadlocked.

"If the whips decide to take political advantage of the Government's weakness and put party politics before the national interest, there is a possibility of the Commons being unable to reach an agreement and a general election will ultimately become unavoidable."

Stressing he didn't want to see Brits sent back to the polls for the third time in three years, he added: "It would be a very unpleasant election if we had it".

But the Remain-backing Tory, who was plagued by problems by his own backbenchers when he was in office in the 1990s, stepped up his support for another referendum on the final Brexit deal - saying so much has changed since Brits last voted that it was now "morally justifiable".

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His concerns about an early election were echoed by Chief Remainer rebel Dominic Grieve this morning, who suggested Brexiteers who hate Mrs May's Chequers deal could side with Labour to trigger a vote of no confidence - which would force another vote.

"In in those circumstances I’m sure Labour would simply wish to see the Government gone.

"The Government would fall because the Government would have a very small majority," he said.

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However, despite his doom and gloom warnings, Sir John said he thought the PM would survive her current crisis, because the party just can't face another leadership challenge.

"It would be absolutely absurd," he said.

Urging the PM to stand strong against Brexiteers in the party which are trying to get her to change course, he said there was a danger they would force her into rooting for a no-deal.

Today Grant Shapps, who last year said the Tories should consider ousting Mrs May, says she has to stay for now to secure the next few months.