Huntingdon MP backs prime minister in commons vote

Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly voted against a motion to take control of ‘commons business’ last night (Tuesday), despite previously calling the prime minister’s planned suspension a “big mistake”.

Mr Djanogly was one of the 301 MPs to vote against the motion, saying it was a "difficult choice".

Mr Djanogly said: "[It was a] Difficult choice. I was worried that the bill neither delivers a deal nor stops no deal - simply extends. Whilst our new PM believes he can get a deal by October 14. I think he deserves a chance to deliver. We look again mid October. I remain opposed to shutting down parliament."

MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara also voted against the motion.

Vara said: "No deal means trading on WTO rules. As the EU itself trades with many countries on a WTO basis - for example the US, Australia and New Zealand - we should not be so fearful of proceeding on WTO terms if we cannot agree a fair deal with the EU."

However, these votes weren't enough, as Mr Johnson faced his first defeat, as 328 members voted for the motion.

Twenty-one of those were Tory MPs who voted for the motion, defying their own party.

This now allows MPs to bring in a bill requesting to delay Brexit.

This morning (Wednesday), Mr Johnson has announced that he will call for a general election if he is forced to request an extension to the October 31 deadline.

MPs will now vote on the Brexit delay bill. If it passes, the vote on whether to hold an election will follow.

But unless two thirds of MPs back the move for an election it cannot be called.