Brexit court ruling: Theresa May dampens talk of snap election
Downing Street last night played down suggestions Theresa May could call a snap general election next year to ensure she has enough supportive MPs to get her Brexit plan through the House of Commons.
Theresa May’s official spokeswoman told a Westminster media briefing: “Our position has been clear that there should not be an election before 2020. That remains the Prime Minister’s view.”
While the Tories are consistently polling strong leads over Labour, several of the party’s MPs are opposed to a so-called “hard Brexit” outside the European single market, threatening Mrs May’s working Commons majority of 15. But a snap vote could give Mrs May the numbers required to get parliamentary approval for her proposed Brexit timing and strategy. The next election is not due to take place until 2020 unless the government loses a vote of no confidence or there is a vote by MPs with a two-thirds majority in favour of an early election.