Speculation is rife a snap election could be held next month - if opposition MPs and rebel Tories succeed in blocking a no-deal Brexit.

It is widely expected opposition parties will seek to push through a bill to prevent a no-deal Brexit when parliament returns tomorrow.

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What happens next as MPs return to parliament?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson appeared to rule out an election during a statement outside 10 Downing Street this evening.

Instead he focused on the government's Brexit preparations and determination to leave the EU on October 31.

But it has since emerged the government plans to hold a general election on October 14 if the opposition get a no-deal exit off the table.

"I don't want an election, you don't want an election," said the Prime Minister as shouting could be heard in the background from nearby protesters.

He urged MPs to vote against "another pointless delay" - as proposed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - and warned supporting the opposition leader would "chop the legs out from under the UK position and make any further negotiation absolutely impossible".

In a speech earlier today, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he favoured an election, saying a poll "would give the people a choice between two very different directions for the country" and was a democratic way forward.

Meanwhile, Tony Blair warned a vote would be "an elephant trap" for Labour.

The possibility of an early poll would probably halt the threat by opposition parties to block a no-deal Brexit.

It would require a two-thirds majority of MPs to back a poll under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.

An election would inevitably be seen as a second referendum on Brexit and would be seen as a huge gamble.

As things stand, the political map of Kent is firmly true blue, with the Conservative party holding every seat bar one, Canterbury, which fell to Labour in 2017.

However, the party would come under pressure from Nigel Farage's new Brexit party, which is fielding candidates across Kent's 17 seats.

How is Brexit going to affect Kent? For all the latest news, views and analysis visit our dedicated page here

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