Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris
Corbyn has already stated that he prefers a general election to a second referendum. It would be pretty difficult for him to whip his MPs against it.
To be honest, even though Parliament now technically has control of the timing of elections, if asked, how could any leader of the opposition be seen to be running away from one?
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I think there are enough Remainers, or at least people who want a deal before leaving, in Parliament that will prevent her from doing via the Fixed Terms Parliament act, remember she'll need Tories to back her in that case too.
If I've done the maths right they will need 434 votes to call an election. (2/3s of 650, abstentions still count).
All opposition MPs = 333. Leaving 101 Tory MPs needed assuming every single other MP votes for the election and that's a bit unlikely IMO if this the obviously the game that they perceive May to be playing. Liberal Democrats could abstain? More Tories needed. SNP abstain? More still and so on.
Would over 100 Tories MPs be willing to detonate themselves in such a fashion? To facilitate a no deal Brexit and possibly hand it over to Corbyn?
Instead I think they would try a vote of no confidence but that doesn't get the delay you would need since in that circumstance someone else could form a government which I think would happen if only to delay Article 50 before calling the actual General Election again.