…from the Guardian…
Speculation is mounting that Boris Johnson could call a snap general election if backbench rebels succeed in passing a bill to delay Brexit, with a Downing Street source saying the issue would be treated as “an expression of confidence” in the government.
Johnson’s cabinet ministers are being summoned for an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday afternoon, before the prime minister addresses Conservative MPs at a No 10 drinks reception.
Senior sources among the cross-party group of rebels say they believe Johnson could seek a snap general election as early as Wednesday, asking for the two-thirds majority needed in the Commons under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.
The sources suggested the vote would come with a commitment that polling day would be before 31 October, though the date would ultimately be in the control of the government.
See the latest BBC story here (on a previous thread):
https://politicaldog101.com/2019/08/boris-johnson-bringsm-out-to-the-streets-to-protest-his-actions-already/comment-page-1/#comment-24177
Conservative MP Phillip Lee has defected to the Liberal Democrats ahead of a showdown between Boris Johnson and Tory rebels over Brexit.
Dr Lee, the MP for Bracknell, took his seat on the opposition benches as the PM addressed the Commons.
His defection means that Boris Johnson no longer has a working majority in the Commons.
He said the government was “pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways”, putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
Mr Johnson has vowed to leave the EU on 31 October with or without a deal, but a number of MPs against no deal have come together across party political lines to try to stop it happening.
They have submitted a motion for an emergency debate to Commons Speaker John Bercow, and if successful, they will bring forward a bill that would force the prime minister to ask for Brexit to be delayed until 31 January, unless MPs approve a new deal, or vote in favour of a no-deal exit, by 19 October.
‘Surrender’
Speaking in the Commons, Mr Johnson told MPs he wanted a negotiated exit from the EU and insisted there was “real momentum” behind the talks with Brussels.
But he said the moves by MPs, including Conservatives, to pass legislation effectively blocking a no-deal exit on 31 October would “destroy any chance of negotiating a new deal”.
If the rebels succeeded in their aims, he said it would force him to go to Brussels to “beg for another pointless delay” to Brexit and he would “never” do that.
“It is Jeremy Corbyn’s surrender bill. It means running up the white flag,” he added.
No 10 has said the prime minister will push for an election on 14 October if the MPs succeed.
Before Dr Lee’s defection, Mr Johnson only had a working majority of one in the Commons.
In a letter to the prime minister, Dr Lee said Brexit divisions had “sadly transformed this once great party into something more akin to a narrow faction in which one’s Conservatism is measured by how recklessly one wants to leave the European Union”.
“Perhaps more disappointingly, it has become infected by the twin diseases of English nationalism and populism.”
He said the Lib Dems – who back another referendum on Brexit and want the UK to remain in the EU – were best placed to “heal the divisions” and “overcome the challenges we face as a society.”
Dr Lee’s decision to cross the floor was greeted with cheers on the opposition benches.
Amid angry exchanges during the PM’s statement on last month’s G7 summit, Jeremy Corbyn urged the prime minister to “reflect on his choice of language” to describe the rebels’ bill.
The Labour leader said the UK was “not at war with Europe” and it was a no-deal exit which would see the UK “surrender” jobs, employment standards and social protections.
“His is a not government with no mandate, no morals and, as of today, no majority,” he added.
more at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49570682
The most important vote today should be between 5 & 6 p.m. US EDT.
Current state of the parties in the House of Commons:
319 H.M. Government (Conservative 309 [-1], Dem. Unionist [N. Ireland] 10)
320 Opposition
(Labour 245, Scots Natl 35, Lib Dem 15 [+1], Ind. 15, The Ind Group for Change 5, Welsh Party [Plaid Cymru] 4, Green [Eng & Wales] 1)
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/10630/production/_108602176_state_of_parties_0309-nc.png
It appears that Boris is losing his shirt ….