BORIS Johnson has called for Brits to head to the polls for the second time in two years for a General Election.
MPs are yet to vote on the PM’s demands, but why did does he want one now? Here’s what we know.
Why does Bojo want an election now?
The Prime Minister had vowed to push for an election if the EU granted a three-month extenstion for his Brexit bill.
Mr Johnson sent a letter to the EU requested a delay until January 31 after he was compelled to do so when the Benn Act was passed MPs on October 19.
On October 28, the EU granted the UK’s request for a “flextension” until January 31, 2020.
The UK can leave before that date if Mr Johnson’s deal is passed in Parliament.
Mr Johnson said he wanted an election in hopes he can restore the ruling Conservative Party’s majority in order to get his deal through.
When will MPs vote on Bojo’s call for another election?
MPs are due to vote on today at some point after 5pm.
Mr Johnson needs two-thirds of MPs – 434 – to set the election date.
If it passes then the UK will be heading to the polls on December 12.
The Labour Party are set to oppose it.
Jeremy Corbyn has said his party will not support it until a No Deal Brexit is ruled out and his party are expected to abstain it.
With the deadline being extended, many will see this as Mr Johnson’s “do or die” pledge to leave by Halloween as dead.
The SNP have said it will block the government’s election attempt.
They have joined forces with the Liberal Democrats to push for an election on December 9 now that the European Union has granted another Brexit extension until January 31.
Mr Johnson’s preferred date to have an election is December 12, but has not ruled out gong to the ballot box three days earlier.
MPs have already rejected the PM’s call to hold a general election twice.
Will BoJo win an election?
It is unclear how he will do at the polls not that a No Deal Brexit has effectively been thrown out the window.
Mr Johnson is likely to argue that since one of his signature policies has not come to fruition that he must have an election.
The Prime Minister risks being punished at the ballot box as he will have to campaign on the back of not leaving by October 31.
