Boris Johnson's call for general election snubbed by Opposition parties

Boris Johnson's demand for a general election on his own terms became increasingly remote when opposition leaders agreed to not vote with the Prime Minister during his fresh bid.

Jeremy Corbyn spoke with the leaders of the main opposition parties on Friday to discuss their resistance to holding a vote before the prospect of a no-deal Brexit on October 31 is eliminated.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the SNP and Plaid Cymru are all understood to be planning on voting against or abstaining from the Fixed-Term Parliament Act when it returns to the Commons on Monday.

The conference call between leader Jo Swinson, Jeremy Corbyn and others was described as "positive" and "constructive" by the Liberal Democrats.

"We were all clear we are not going to let Boris Johnson cut and run," a party spokeswoman said.

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She added: "The Liberal Democrat position for a while now is that we won't vote for a general election until we have an extension agreed with the EU. I think the others are coming round to that.

"As a group we will all vote against or abstain on Monday."

There was a further boost for the opposition parties on Friday afternoon when Peers approved legislation aimed at blocking a possible no-deal Brexit next month.

Boris Johnson said earlier on Friday he is confident he will strike a deal with the EU if opposition parties continue to resist a general election.

During a visit to Scotland, the prime minister said it was a "sensational paradox" that an opposition party has turned down the chance of going to the electorate.

The prime minister said he wants polling day to be October 15, but in order to call the snap election he needs a two-thirds majority in the Commons and opposition parties do not trust him to stick to that date.

"Never in history has there been a an opposition party that has been given the chance to have an election and has turned it town," he added.

Meanwhile a Labour Party spokesperson said: "Jeremy Corbyn hosted a positive conference call with other opposition party leaders this morning.

"They discussed advancing efforts to prevent a damaging no-deal Brexit and hold a general election once that is secured."

Leading judges also rejected a legal challenge which was brought over the prime minister's decision to suspend Parliament for five weeks on Friday.

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Mr Johnson added: "If I may say so, I find they're making an extraordinary political mistake, but it is there decision they don't want to have an election, they don't want to move this thing forward, fine we will get a deal on October 17, 18."

"And then we'll come out of the EU but that will be the beginning of the process in which we start a new partnership with our European friends plus we look to new opportunities around the world," he added.

Mr Johnson also rejected calls to sack his controversial adviser Dominic Cummings.

Dominic Cummings is Mr Johnson's top adviser in Downing Street. Credit: PA

Former Tory leader Sir John Major had unleashed a scathing attack on the PM’s aide, branding him “a political anarchist”.

In a speech in Glasgow on Thursday night, Sir John urged the PM to get rid of the "overmighty" Mr Cummings "and do it quickly".

But when asked if he would now sack his key adviser, Mr Johnson said: "Look, advisers advise and ministers decide."