Why the calls for Boris to resign?

[Paddy]

Pragmatically, if BJ did decide to resign surely this would trigger a new leadership contest which could take us past Oct31?
Equally, the opposition do not want a GE.

If the PM DID resign then could we have no PM - is that possible? Because the "no no deal" law explicitly stipulates the PM must request an extension if no deal is reached by October 19. If there IS no PM, they don't have to request an extension.

Possible?

He would still be acting PM until a successor was elected (or a GE resulted in a new govt). So that scenario doesn't apply.

No, the deputy PM takes over.

[d000hg]

That's not how selecting a leader works in the Tory party, was there an election when May stepped down.

There was a leadership contest constituting several rounds of voting before the party membership had the final say. How long did that process take - would we have a new party leader before Oct 31?

Acting means "Temporarily doing the job". So I doubt it will be an issue.

So my question then is, does the PM HAVE to retain the role or can they refuse to do so? Does our unwritten constitution say someone MUST act as PM or can we legitimately have the role unfilled - for instance if the PM dies? Let's go complete hyperbole and say BJ is run over by a big red bus on October 18.

I could see BJ playing any kind of tricks to get Brexit achieved TBH!

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

The obvious answer to this is that Labour can call a motion of no confidence at any time. Arguably it would be wise to do so as soon as Parliament reconvenes. Despite the Tory spin about Labour "running away" from a general election it was obvious to anyone that the reason why the opposition parties would not support the PM's call for an election is because it would hand him control over the schedule. Calling a VONC allows Labour to potentially form an alternative government on their own terms and then call a general election after obtaining an A50 extension.

[Mordac]

It is in the interests of everyone in the country the Tory party is consigned to the dustbin of history.

Go Scottish courts!

Which country would that be?

[scooterscot]

Which country would that be?

The peoples country my little marxist.

[scooterscot]

If there is a general election the Lib dems will be getting my vote.

[fullyautomatix]

A Corbyn government is edging ever so close ....

[Mordac]

There was a leadership contest constituting several rounds of voting before the party membership had the final say. How long did that process take - would we have a new party leader before Oct 31?

So my question then is, does the PM HAVE to retain the role or can they refuse to do so? Does our unwritten constitution say someone MUST act as PM or can we legitimately have the role unfilled - for instance if the PM dies? Let's go complete hyperbole and say BJ is run over by a big red bus on October 18.

I could see BJ playing any kind of tricks to get Brexit achieved TBH!

Labour have the post of Deputy PM, who becomes PM in that scenario, the Tories have the post of First Secretary of State, which currently is Dominic Raab.

[Mordac]

A Corbyn government is edging ever so close ....

Welcome to Venezuela...

[Mordac]

If there is a general election the Lib dems will be getting my vote.

I had you down as more of an AfD voter...