Boris Johnson has called an emergency cabinet meeting in Downing Street this afternoon amid speculation that he is about to declare a general election.
The Prime Minister summoned ministers to the meeting today, ahead of the Commons returning tomorrow when opposition MPs are due to mount an attempt to block a no-deal Brexit.
A cabinet meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, ahead of Prime Minister’s Questions and chancellor Sajid Javid’s spending review.
But Downing Street confirmed that ministers will assemble this afternoon ahead of a reception this evening to which all Conservative MPs have been invited.
With a knife-edge majority of just one vote Johnson could be defeated in the Commons and he has demanded that MPs do not "bind his hands" in Brexit talks by threatening to remove the whip from any rebel Tory MPs
Under the Fixed-Term Parliament act two thirds of MPs would have to approve the dissolution of parliament.
Speaking in Manchester this morning Jeremy Corbyn said that Labour would back a motion for a general election if Boris Johnson were to call one.
However, Labour sources played down the prospect of backing an early general election without the legislation blocking a no-deal Brexit on the statute book.
In response to the news, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted a "bring it on" message.
The SNP leader said: "Bring it on, but it must be before Oct 31.
"MPs must not allow Johnson to game the date as a ploy to push through a no deal Brexit."
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Labour not to fall into an “election trap” which would allow Johnson to set the date of an election after October 31 when the UK is due to leave the EU.
