Lib Dem and SNP plot to offer Boris Johnson an EARLY election on December 9 is branded a ‘stunt’

A Remainer plot to entice Boris Johnson into a pre-Christmas election on their terms was blasted as a ‘stunt’ by a Cabinet minister today.

Culture Secretary Nicky Morgan hit out at the scheme hatched by the SNP and the Lib Dems as signs they are growing tired of Labour prevarication grew. 

But she refused to confirm that the Government would vote against it, saying it would have to wait and see what is in the paperwork. 

The parties’ MPs have drawn up a bill that would allow Mr Johnson to secure a December election with a simple majority of MPs, by-passing the need for two-thirds support under the Fixed Term parliament Act (FTPA)

The draft law would grant an election on December 9 – three days before the PM’s proposed date and, crucially, when more students are still at university to cast their votes in Remain-supporting target swing seats. 

Mrs Morgan told Sky’s Ridge on Sunday: ‘What is different about the offer, or stunt I might say, by the SNP and Lib Dems is they have obviously made it clear that they have no intention of wanting Brexit to be done, no intention of wanting the Withdrawal Bill.  

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, confirmed he had co-signed a letter with Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson to European Council president Donald Tusk asking for a Brexit delay until January

‘They are saying, ”Go for an election”. It may well be that an election is going to happen.

‘If the SNP and Lib Dems want an election then they have a chance to vote for one as quickly as tomorrow when the Government’s motion is voted on.

‘We will see if they are in our lobby or not.’

The Prime Minister used an article in the Sunday papers to accuse MPs of holding the country ‘hostage’ by refusing a general election.

He is looking to pile pressure on parliamentarians to give him the two-thirds backing he needs on Monday to secure a trip to the polls.

MP Chuka Umunna said the Lib Dems had offered a general election because it looks ‘highly unlikely’ that a second referendum can be secured under the current numbers

But the Lib Dems and SNP, in a move that circumvents Labour’s indecision, are to reportedly set to offer the Conservative Party leader an even easier route to an election, requiring just a simple majority in the Commons. 

MP Chuka Umunna said the Lib Dems had offered a general election because it looks ‘highly unlikely’ that a second referendum can be secured under the current numbers.

The time frame involved for a December 9 election would not allow Mr Johnson to ‘ram’ through his Withdrawal Agreement Bill before polling day, he said.

He also looked to allay Tory fears and said adding new elements such as votes for 16-year-olds would be ‘outside the scope of the Bill’.

However, Labour indicated it would vote against the bill, with shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth telling Ridge: ‘This Lib Dem plan is an opportunistic stunt – it’s entirely ridiculous. It’s a stunt so the Lib Dems can get on the telly.’ 

Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, confirmed he had co-signed a letter with Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson to European Council president Donald Tusk in which they sought an extension until January 31 at the earliest so that the ‘risk of a devastating no-deal Brexit’ could be removed.

He added: ‘If that meaningful extension is secured we will then work together to bring forward an election this year – but on Parliament’s terms, not on the Prime Minister’s.’