Labour could form minority government without a general election, says John McDonnell

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said Labour could form a minority government without a general election if Theresa May's Brexit deal is voted down in parliament.

His comments mark a change of tack for the Labour leadership, which has been arguing for a fresh general election in the face of Brexit uncertainty.

Speaking at a Reuters event today, McDonnell said it was the duty of the monarch to offer opposition parties the chance to form a government if the current administration was unable to win votes in the House of Commons.

He said this was already being seen after the government was forced to accept amendments to its finance bill yesterday, rather than accept defeat. McDonnell said the move was "extraordinary" and had pushed the UK into "uncharted territory".

"If it's a minority government and they can't obtain a majority in parliament, usually it's the duty of the monarch to offer to the opposition the opportunity to form a government," McDonnell said.

He claimed Theresa May's administration was on the verge of being unable to govern. "The test is losing consistent votes on the deal itself," he said.

May is currently in Brussels to sign off her Brexit deal before the crucial summit with European leaders this weekend.

McDonnell said the strength of feeling against May's deal should not be underestimated and that she would struggle to get a deal through parliament.

The shadow chancellor said he was confident that Labour MPs would vote against May's deal, saying the leadership would be able to "hold the side down".

Earlier today new work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd said the Commons would stop a no deal scenario materialising.

However, she added: “I think the likelihood is, despite what people say, that the withdrawal agreement will get through.”

McDonnell appeared lukewarm to the idea of a second vote, saying he feared it would produce "the same or a similar result" and create more division.

He said that if there was another referendum – which shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer supports – the option of staying in the EU would form "part of the discussion".

The Liberal Democrats' Brexit spokesperson Tom Brake said: “It is shameful that Labour is discussing forming a minority government whilst refusing to clarify their policy on Brexit. People and businesses are facing huge uncertainty and the Labour party is doing nothing to reassure them.

“All John McDonnell has done today is further muddy the waters of whether Labour will support a People’s Vote, including the option to remain in the EU. It is disappointing he could not bring himself to join the majority of his party and voters in opposing the Conservative government on Brexit.

“The Labour frontbench must be honest with the British public and stop playing self-serving political games with our future.”