Boris Johnson news – live: PM loses second attempt to trigger early general election
Follow all the latest developments
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.No 10 has announced that a five-week suspension parliament will begin tonight, as Boris Johnson’s flies back from his first official meeting with Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar in Dublin.
It comes as the prime minister sets up a possible Brexit showdown in the Supreme Court after it emerged No 10 is ready to launch a legal fight against the anti-no deal legislation.
Mr Johnson is also reportedly ready to send a second letter to the EU – alongside the request for a three-month delay required of him – explaining he does not actually want any delay after 31 October. Labour figures branded the plan “illegal” and “monumentally ridiculous”.
Here is the prime minister reiterating that he will not ask for a Brexit delay at the EU council summit in October.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, has warned Mr Johnson to “be careful” if he is planning to break the law by ignoring parliament’s demand for him to ask for an extension.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph has broken the midnight embargo on Theresa May’s resignation honours list.
The big news is a knighthood for her communications chief Robbie Gibb, a lifetime peerage for her chief of staff Gavin Barwell and CBEs for Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill.
That’s sure to anger a few people…
Back in the chamber, Conservative MP Alan Duncan has just said “self-respecting” Tory constituency chairs should tell Conservative HQ to “bugger off” and allow MPs sacked by Mr Johnson to stand in the next election.
MPs will presumably be voting on the general election motion soon but it doesn’t feel like it.
The Liberal Democrats look set to bolster their credentials as the most pro-EU party in parliament by backing the revocation of Article 50.
The party will adopt the policy, if agreed by members, at the next general election, according to reports.
Divisions
After a lively debate, MPs are now voting on whether to call and early general election.
Breaking: Johnson loses second attempt to trigger general election
The PM has failed to secure a snap election at the second time of asking. MPs voted for the motion by 293 to 46, with a large number of abstentions.
However, the government was unable to secure the support of two-thirds of MPs - required under the Fixed-term Parliament Act in order to call an early election.
Boris Johnson has responded to the House of Commons failing to support his motion for a snap general election.
The prime minister said: “I urged the House to trust the people, but once again the opposition think they know better.
“They want to delay Brexit yet again... and most egregiously of all, not only have they failed to choose the way ahead, they have now twice denied the British people their say.”
The prime minister has reiterated his claim he will not accept a further delay to Brexit. How he will avoid this given both the reported lack of progress in negotiations with the EU and the legislation passed by parliament blocking a no-deal exit remains to be seen.
"This government will press on with negotiating a deal, while preparing to leave without one," Mr Johnson told the Commons.
"I will go to that crucial summit on October the 17th and no matter how many devices this parliament invents to tie my hands, I will strive to get an agreement in the national interest.
"This government will not delay Brexit any further."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments