Remainer plot backfires: ‘Massive own goal’ MP squirms as he’s told Boris surging in polls

Mr Benn was quizzed as to whether denying Mr Johnson a general election is just a “massive own goal” for the Labour Party who are desperate for a second referendum between Remain and Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement. Sky News host, Adam Boulton, noted the Conservative leader has been quite successful in the polls as he tries for a second time to call a snap general election. It comes as Remainer MPs and Tory rebels plan delay Brexit further and force Mr Johnson to ask for an extension.

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Boulton said: “In the end this is going to be a massive own goal actually because people agree with Boris Johnson that they want to get this over with.

“They’re saying this is just Remainers delaying and if Mr Johnson were able to fight a general election on it he would probably improve his position.”

Mr Benn added: “This is not about that. This is about preventing a no deal Brexit and I know he wants to turn it into something else.

“It’s about preventing the damage that would be done to the country and to the economy, that is what it’s about.

“The cross-party group who came together last week have completely different views on how they Brexit should be resolved, some voted for Mrs May’s deal, some would vote for a deal by Boris Johnson, others like me think we should put the question back to the people.

“In effect, put Mrs May’s deal and the option of Remain in a referendum.”

The host outlined the Conservatives are saying leaving the EU without a deal is the only way to do it.

Mr Benn said: “It doesn’t bring Brexit to an end, this is the great myth, it is not bringing an end to it.

“The day after we leave without a deal, heaven forbid if that happens, we begin a process of enormous uncertainty which will last years.”

He went on to say the Labour party will not support Mr Johnson’s bid to call a snap election suggested it is a “trap”.

His comments come as the no deal Brexit block goes to royal assent to become law forcing Mr Johnson to request a three-month extension from the EU by October 19.

However, the Prime Minister has insisted he will not ask for a further extension as he has previously said he would rather “die in a ditch”.

Mr Johnson is reportedly planning to sabotage the Remainer plan by telling the EU they should ignore any requests for a Brexit delay.

An insider told The Daily Telegraph: “There is a prescribed letter that has to be sent. Does that stop the Prime Minister sending other documents to the EU? I don’t think it does.

“A political explainer perhaps, as to where the Government’s policy is. It has to make clear that the Government is asking for an extension, but let’s not forget what the next step is.

“Once that is done, the Europeans are going to ask: ‘Why? What is the reason? What if the government said: ‘We don’t have any reasons for an extension.’ There is a clear path now: the Europeans need to refuse an extension.”