Labour are currently refusing to say they will back an election this year, insisting the Government must first remove the possibility of a no deal Brexit. However Mr Johnson is likely to receive the backing he needs should he receive support from the other opposition parties.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson and SNP Westminster chief Ian Blackford wrote a joint letter to the European Council president requesting a Brexit extension.

The letter stated: “We all do wish to see an election take place in order to break the impasse.

“With an extension secured to at least January 31 – or later – we, the opposition, will work together to facilitate an election giving the people the chance to decide what the UK’s next steps should be.

“We believe this is the only way to unlock what has become a deadlocked parliament and to enable the UK and the EU to move forward.”

Mr Johnson is expected to table a motion calling for a general election on Monday.

However the letter states the Liberal Democrats and SNP will not give this their support.

Under the fixed term parliament act the Prime Minister can only call a general election with the support of two thirds of MPs.

Alternatively the Conservatives could back a no confidence motion in their own Government, which would only require a simple majority of MPs to pass Parliament.

However if this happens Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, or any other opposition leader, would have 14 days to try and form an alternative Government before any general election is called.

According to ITV political editor Robert Peston the Liberal Democrats will table an amendment to the fixed term parliament act calling for a general election on December 9.

This is just three days before the date Mr Johnson has suggested, December 12.

If this fails Mr Peston claims the SNP will table a no confidence motion on Tuesday.

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However the Liberal Democrats and SNP are unlikely to back the Government’s own bid for an election as this would restart Parliamentary scrutiny of its Brexit withdrawal agreement, which both parties are opposed to.

To get a general election the Government may have to fight off amendments from opposition parties attempting to give the vote to EU nationals and 16-17 years olds.

Mr Johnson demanded a general election when parliament made clear it would not pass his Brexit withdrawal agreement in the requested timeframe.

Labour is opposed to the Government’s deal, and is campaigning for another referendum on Britain’s EU membership.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage is also opposed to the agreement, and has argued Mr Johnson has made too many concessions to the EU.

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit without a second referendum if they win a majority after a general election.

Mr Johnson repeatedly vowed to take Britain out of the EU on October 31.

However Parliament passed a law requiring the Prime Minister to request another extension from Brussels, which he duly did.

The EU is expected to announce whether it will allow another extension, and for how long, as the beginning of next week.

On October 24 Mr Johnson tweeted: “This Parliament must get Brexit done now or a new Parliament must get Brexit done so the country can move on.”

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