, whom one MP describes as being “deliciously otherworldly” about Labour’s electoral prospects, is less enthusiastic about a delay., which initially signalled that it wanted an early election, is now moving towards a later date. One way or another, Johnson is not in control of events, and he will be unable to determine the date of the election.
What she found, however, was that many Labour voters who liked Brexit and disliked Corbyn recoiled at the prospect of voting for a party that had overseen years of austerity that had run down the public services on which they depend. The events of the past week have made the Conservatives’ challenge more difficult, with Ruth Davidson’s resignation as their Scottish leader putting most of their 13 seats north of the border at risk. The resurgent Liberal Democrats are confident of taking seats from the Tories in London and the southwest of England. And some of the 21 Conservatives expelled from the party for voting against the government this week are considering standing as Independents.
Brexit battle: Boris Johnson responds to Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday. Photograph: Jessica Taylor/ UK Parliament/AFP/Getty