Speaking on BBC Newsnight, alongside the Financial Time’s Sebastian Payne and The Guardian’s Polly Toynbee, the panel were discussing what host Emily Maitlis described as a battle between two Dominics. Dominic Cummmings, the Vote Leave mastermind is part of Mr Johnson’s team and Dominic Grieve may attempt to bring down his own government to prevent no deal. Sir Craig suggested Mr Grieve could play into Mr Johnson’s hand and give him the ‘“perfect election campaign” if Parliament attempts to stop a no deal exit.

He explained it helps Mr Johnson as it gives him: “The ability to create that kind of Brexit coalition that won the referendum, to try and appeal to north of England Labour seats, the big question is ‘can he actually win them in a general election?’

“It’s a very high risk strategy, but I think he’s hoping if there is a no confidence vote and he loses it, he can have that strategy going forward.”

Ms Toynbee also said it would be unconstitutional if Brexit occurs during an election campaign, even though she admitted it was legally possible.

Sir Craig said such rhetoric could help the Tories spin a campaign on people trying to stop Brexit.

He added: “They’re winning in lots of ways at the moment and like it or not, they have been pretty smart so far.”

The panel then discussed Mr Johnson’s insistence he was prepared to leave without a deal if Labour MPs were preoccupied with avoiding deselection.

Sir Craig told Ms Maitlis on Mr Johnson’s rhetoric: “There are signs that that is making the EU very nervous, they’re winding everybody up, they’re saying to people ‘look, we’re prepared to push this as far as we can’ and it’s seen so far that it’s working, the test will be what happens when there’s a general election and whether or not they can win those Labour seats.”

Previously, Mr Johnson could call for an election at any point during his term providing he gave six weeks’ notice.

That was until the Fixed Terms Parliament act was introduced by then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

Now, if Mr Johnson wanted one he could call for a Parliamentary vote which must be passed with a two-thirds majority.

Losing a no confidence vote without it being overturned by an explicit vote of confidence within 14 days would be the only other way to bring about a snap general election.

The last successful no confidence vote brought down James Callaghan’s Labour Party in March 1979.

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