Interesting. Govt lukewarm response to this implies they’re perhaps not as keen on an election as they’ve said. Implies govt expected rejection of election offer and was really about distracting from Oct 31st promise broken/dividing Lab/giving EU excuse to offer short extension.
Basically has their bluff been called? It is true to say Morgan doesn’t entirely rule out the offer.
Either way, it’s a smart move. Largely puts the heat back on Johnson (though Lab position still difficult). Also sends strong signal to the EU that Parliament is willing to do something to resolve impasse and strengthens voices of those like Tusk arguing for Jan 31st extension.
govt reluctance over elex will make Lab more comfortable with it. Because there is no trust in Johnson’s No 10 (and despite strong evidence to the contrary, a lingering worry that they are strategic geniuses) there is a reflex against anything they might want. This changes that.
