Theresa May 'will NOT call an early general election' despite Labour's slump in popularity
THE CONSERVATIVES will not seize on Labour’s turmoil by calling an early general election, the home secretary has confirmed.
Amber Rudd: There will definitely not be a general election
Amber Rudd rejected the idea on Sunday, despite the Opposition slumping to record lows in some opinion polls.
A recent survey by ICM showed the Conservatives held a massive 18-point lead over Labour.
But, even with their surge in popularity and success in the Copeland by-election on Thursday, Ms Rudd was adamant there would be no general election until 2020.
Amber Rudd says there will not be an early general election
People do trust Theresa May
Appearing on ITV’s Peston on Sunday, she said: “One of the reasons I think we did very well is because people do trust Theresa May.
“She has a wide reach, one nation approach and has been accepted. The fact that people in Copeland, who have voted Labour all their life, have turned to the Conservatives I think, is about her leadership.
“We’re showing that the Conservatives have this much broader reach than people thought.”
The home secretary was appearing on ITV's Peston on Sunday
Labour’s floundering polls show the party is now as unpopular as it has ever been in the last three decades.
The Tory lead had only been larger on three previous occasions since the regular polls started in 1983, according to ICM.
In the wide-ranging interview, the home secretary also claimed there wouldn’t “any chance” of the government accepting any amendments on the Article 50 Bill.
Amber Rudd also claimed the government would not "accept" any Brexit Bill amendments
Unelected peers from the opposition and some rebel Conservatives are said to be in favour of adding amendments to the Brexit legislation.
The upper chamber is calling on the Downing Street to ensure parliament is given a vote on Theresa May’s final deal with Brussels.
When grilled by Peston, Ms Rudd remained adamant the prime minister would not concede to any changes proposed to the 130-word document.
“It’s a short two-clause bill to give the prime minister the go ahead and invoke Article 50 - I’d like it unamended.
“It’s just about beginning the process for the two years that we’ll need to prepare for leaving.
“Then within that, there will be the opportunities to debate and discuss.”