Boris Johnson could win 28-seat majority if he called fresh election, new poll reveals
BORIS Johnson could win a 28-seat majority if he called an election now, a fresh poll has revealed.
In news which will give the PM a boost as he heads into a crunch Brexit week, new research has put the Tories soaring ahead of Labour.
Boris’ party are on 35 per cent in the Mail on Sunday poll, 11 points above Labour on 24 per cent.
The Lib Dems trail behind on 18 per cent, and the Brexit Party on just 14 per cent.
But in a sign that Nigel Farage’s party is set to be a huge thorn in Boris’ side for many months to come, if the Brexit Party weren’t in the running the PM could be on track for a huge 84-seat majority.
In the last two by-elections – in Peterborough and Brecon – they have completely split the Leave vote and allowed Remainers to win the seats.
If that was repeated in an election, it could cost Boris dearly in Leave seats.
Mr Farage has urged Boris to do a deal with him and work together with a pro-Brexit pact – but only if he goes for a No Deal.
Boris has repeatedly refused to agree to it.
The Sun revealed today that Boris is poised to call a snap poll within days if his Brexit plans are blocked in the Commons this week.
In the past few days ministers have been ordered to submit vote-winning policy ideas for a future Tory manifesto and the party’s election planning machine is in overdrive.
However, that will require the support of two thirds of the House of Commons – including the Labour Party.
Jeremy Corbyn has repeatedly insisted he wants a general election, but the party won’t vote for one if they think Boris will set a date for after the 31 October, taking Britain out without a deal.
If rebels fail, and he delivers a Halloween Brexit, Boris will look for a pre-Christmas election – with December 5 earmarked as a possible date.
One senior aide said: “It’s clear an election is looming on the horizon. The only question is when.
“We’ll probably have a better idea after the events of the next few days have played out.”
Labour will team up with Lib Dems and up to 17 Tory rebels, including ex-Cabinet big guns Philip Hammond and David Gauke, to take control of Parliament.
They plan to then pass a law banning the PM from leaving the EU without a deal – weakening his bargaining position with Brussels and forcing him to ask for another extension.
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