Would Boris Johnson dare to cut the British people out of the decision by holding an election too late to let them express their view? The polls suggest that he would not pay a price for doing so. Under the UK's "first past the post" system, you don't need a majority of voters to win and the minority who favour a no-deal exit is large enough to beat a splintered opposition.

A recent ComRes poll shows that in an election held after the UK has left with no deal, the Conservatives are likely win a majority in parliament with 36 per cent ahead of Labour 29 per cent, Liberals 15 per cent and the Brexit Party on 8 per cent. However, if the election happens after the UK has received an extension of article 50, Labour wins with 28 per cent followed by the Brexit Party on 23 per cent with the Tories and Liberals trailing on 22 per cent and 16 per cent. In other words, uniting the pro-no-deal Brexit minority by exiting before an election would benefit Johnson electorally.