Boris Johnson news - live: PM tries different route to get December general election after MPs vote against initial bid

Could Labour end up backing December election?

Some mixed messages coming out of today’s shadow cabinet meeting.

Although it’s clear enough Labour will abstain on the government’s attempt to get a December election under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act this evening, it’s not clear whether they will support the Lib Dem-SNP proposal for a pre-Christmas election via another route – a proposal essentially stolen by the government.

Tom Newton Dunn of The Sun hears some shadow cabinet members are tempted to give in, while The Mirror’s Pippa Crerar hears MPs won’t vote for it regardless of leadership’s position.

Labour’s John Mann no longer MP

Labour John Mann has quit as MP for the Nottinghamshire constituency of Bassetlaw, and has taken up a role in the House of Lords.

It means there will need to be a by-election – but it’s not clear yet whether this could happen before the next general election.

Mann, acting as an independent advisor to the government on antisemitism, has been appointed as Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds.

Anna Soubry accuses Lib Dems and SNP of ‘selfish’ politics

Anna Soubry, leader of the Independent Group for Change, has accused the Lib Dems and SNP of “turning their backs” on the People’s Vote campaign for a second referendum.

She said “old style, selfish, tribal party politics is at play” as the parties look to take advantage of the opportunities a general election presents them.

Turmoil at People's Vote HQ

Staff at the People’s Vote campaign for a second Brexit referendum have staged a walkout after an attempt to sack two of its most senior figures in what they branded a “boardroom coup”.

Director James McGrory and head of communications Tom Baldwin were told to leave in an email to all staff on Sunday evening, which named former Labour head of campaigns Patrick Heneghan as new acting chief executive.

But the pair turned up for work regardless, with Mr Baldwin taking to the airwaves to insist that millionaire businessman Roland Rudd – chair of Open Britain, one of the five organisations which make up the People’s Vote campaign – does not have the power to fire him.

Germany urges UK to use Brexit extension 'productively' 

The German government is welcoming the European Union's agreement to delay Brexit until January 31 next year.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said it was a "good solution", telling reporters in Berlin that it was "very positive" that the remaining 27 EU countries had shown unity on the issue.

He added that "the ball now lies with Great Britain. And it's important to use the additional time productively".

Is Sajid Javid a ‘chancellor in name only’?

After losing the Tory leadership race to Boris Johnson, Sajid Javid barely missed a beat before becoming the chancellor.

But his first few months in office have been marred by questions over his influence and whether he is merely “chancellor in name only”.

A chancellor can wield immense power – and their relationship with their prime minister is closely scrutinised as it can have a significant impact on the political fortunes of both politicians.

The rivalry between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown was legendary. Under Brown, the Treasury had the political clout to square up against No 10, setting up for furious rows between their teams.

Tom Peck: "Please spare us Theresa May's tears over the Brexit result"

"It’s the morning of Thursday June 30 2016. A carefree Theresa May is launching her Tory leadership bid, jauntily firing out white hot banter about how, “the last time that Boris Johnson negotiated a deal with Europe he came back with three nearly new water cannon.”

"In other parts of the capital, her rivals have already dragged the race towards its Quentin Tarantino-style bloodbath ending. There is, metaphorically speaking, claret everywhere. Things could hardly be going better.

"It is somewhat surprising then, to learn that just six days earlier she was in tears. Weeping, according to a new biography by the not-prone-to-sensationalism author Anthony Seldon, over the nation’s vote to leave the European Union."

Surge in voter registration applications as Boris Johnson pushes for December general election

Nearly two million people have applied to register to vote in the past eight weeks, as Boris Johnson continues to push for an early general election. 

With speculation mounting over the prospect of a December election, government figures showed the number of applications has averaged around a quarter of a million every week.

In total, 1,966,876 applications were submitted in the eight weeks to 27 October – almost double the number for the previous eight weeks. 

The new figures come as the campaign group "FckBoris" launched a major advertising scheme on the London underground, highlighting Conservative policy failures over the last nine years.

Boris Johnson introduces debate on an early general election

"Across the country there is a widespread view this parliament has run its course," the prime minister tells the Commons as he opens a debate on an early general election.

"I would rather get Brexit done," he says.

The PM says the House "threw out" the programme motion for the Brexit withdrawal agreement bill. accusing Labour of wanting delay and frustrate Britain's exit from the EU. 

"There must be a parliamentary terminus," Johnson adds. 

Johnson says Jeremy Corbyn has now "run out" of excuses", and accuses him of coming up with "ludicrous" reasons not to face the British people.

Jeremy Corbyn responds to PM's request for extension

The Labour leader says Johnson "cannot be trusted", adding: "He said he could take us out of the EU by 31 October, and spent £100m on advertising campaign... and failed to deliver". 

Corbyn says he says wants an election on 12 December, but how can we trust him that he will stick to that date. 

He said the PM's new Brexit deal was a "recycled and rejected deal", following comments made by former chancellor Philip Hammond.

The Labour leader said: "At the weekend we learned from the former chancellor that his deal was offered to the former prime minister 18 months ago and she rejected it as 'not good enough for the United Kingdom'.

"So, we have a rejected and recycled deal, that has been misrepresented by ministers in this House, no doubt inadvertently."