Brexit election: Government to 'look at options' if poll bid fails

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Downing Street is prepared to look at other options should its plans for an election fail, a Number 10 source says.

The government will table a motion calling for a 12 December election on Monday, but this needs support from two-thirds of MPs.

However the Liberal Democrats and SNP want to introduce a bill that enshrines a 9 December poll in law subject to a Brexit extension to 31 January.

Earlier, Conservative James Cleverly dismissed this plan as a "gimmick".

The Lib Dem-SNP bill amends the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 to include the date of 9 December as the next general election and this would come into force if the EU decides to extend the Brexit process to a date no earlier than 31 January.

BBC political correspondent Jessica Parker said it was significant as this method would only require a simple majority than the the two-thirds required to back the prime minister's motion for an election on 12 December.

Source and full story: BBC Parliament