Fox News panellist mocks MPs as Boris to use Brexit bill delay to secure election victory
FOX NEWS contributor Steve Hilton claimed Boris Johnson could use the delay to his Brexit deal to boost popular support for his party in preparation for a general election.
Brexit: Johnson in ‘very strong position’ for election says expert
Boris Johnson saw his plans to deliver the Brexit Bill through the Commons derailed after MPs voted 322 to 308 to reject the Prime Minister's proposed timetable. Despite the defeat, Fox News contributor Steve Hilton insisted Mr Johnson is in a "very strong position" and could use the new delay to strengthen his support base ahead of a general election. Speaking to Fox Business, Mr Hilton said: "Boris Johnson has persuaded disparate elements within the Conservative Party to get behind his deal in way May never managed to do.
"There is still a chance he gets it across the line. Even if he doesn’t, he holds the cards because if he goes to a general election he’s in a very strong position.
"He has done everything he can to deliver Brexit whereas everyone else has been trying to frustrate it."
The Fox News contributor added: "Therefore, he can say, ‘I’m for the people and everyone else is for the establishment, trying to undermine the people’s vote'."
Mr Johnson paused his Brexit Bill as his proposed timetable got voted down on Tuesday, despite MPs earlier agreeing to pass the legislation through its second reading stage.
JUST IN: Brutal reason Nicola Sturgeon wants to block Brexit at all costs revealed
The Prime Minister voiced his disappointment at the result as he announced the Government will accelerate preparations for a no deal.
Following the defeat, Mr Johnson said: "I must express my disappointment the House has once again voted for delay rather than a timetable that would have guaranteed that the UK would be in a position to leave the EU on October 31 with a deal.
"We now face further uncertainty and the EU must now make up their mind on how to answer Parliament’s request for a delay.
"The first consequence is that the Government must now take the only responsible course and accelerate our preparations for a no deal outcome."
READ MORE: Peter Bone wants second referendum with only Leave options – do you agree?
Brexit: Letwin says Johnson’s deal ‘better than the worst’
The Prime Minister continued: "Secondly, I will speak to EU member states about their intentions until they have reached a decision. Until then, we will pause this legislation.
"Let me be clear – our policy remains that we should not delay, that we should leave the EU on October 31 and that is what I will say to the EU.
"One way or another, we will leave the EU with this deal to which this House has just given its assent."
Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage was quick to condemn Boris Johnson in the wake of his damaging Commons defeat.
DON'T MISS:
Boris backtracks on vow to leave EU on Oct31 - PM ready to accept new delay [LIVE]
Overwhelming majority demand John Bercow be removed [POLL]
Kuenssberg reveals Boris will have election before Christmas if vote fails [ANALYSIS]
Mr Farage took to Twitter to voice his disappointment in the Prime Minister: "Do or die is over, we have now moved on to dying in a ditch.
"We will not be leaving the EU on 31st October."
Downing Street said Boris Johnson continues to believe the UK should leave the EU on October 31 and that an extension beyond this month would be "corrosive".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Where we are now as a result of the actions of Parliament is that the EU will have to consider the request from Parliament that was conveyed to it at the weekend."