The Remainer and former prime minister will say Labour should not “fall into the elephant trap” of backing a Westminster poll if MPs cannot agree on Brexit. Mr Blair will say Labour should throw its weight behind supporting legislation to prevent a no deal Brexit, not a vote of no confidence in the Government. In an address at the Institute for Government on Monday, Mr Blair will say: “Should the Government seek an election, it should be refused in favour of a referendum.
“It is counter-intuitive for opposition parties to refuse an election.
“But in this exceptional case, it is vital they do so as a matter of principle, until Brexit is resolved.
“Brexit is an issue which stands on its own, was originally decided on its own and should be reconsidered on its own.
“But the Brexiteers are laying a trap, to seem as if pushed into an election against their will, when they’re actively preparing for it.”
Mr Blair will praise Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his stance.
He will say: “In backing away from the idea of himself as a ‘caretaker prime minister’ Jeremy Corbyn has behaved responsibly, and if he continues to put country first, he will benefit the country and himself.
“He can now play a decisive role in how Brexit develops.
“But he should see an election for the elephant trap it is.
READ MORE: Why Remoaners are stuck between anger and denial – Daniel Hannan
“First, the June 2016 referendum cannot be taken as a mandate for a no-deal Brexit.
“Feeble attempts to suggest it is have foundered on the overwhelming evidence that, on the contrary, Brexiteers continually stated that there would be a deal and that it would be easy.
“Second, therefore, if the Government policy is to come out with no deal, then either Parliament should agree it, or the people.
“Third, and this is the crux, if Parliament cannot agree, then the right way to consult the people is not through a general election but through a referendum.”
Meanwhile, crunch Brexit talks between Mr Johnson and senior Tory rebels have been cancelled.
He was supposed to face a torrid week of expected Commons clashes over his EU withdrawal stance, but a planned meeting on Monday with ex-justice secretary David Gauke and other Conservative critics was called off.
It then emerged that a proposed one-on-one meeting between the PM and former chancellor Philip Hammond would also not take place.
The developments came after Cabinet heavyweight Michael Gove refused to say if the Government would abide by legislation blocking a no-deal Brexit if it is forced through by Tory rebels and the opposition this week.
When asked repeatedly on whether the Government would abide by a successful bid by Commons opponents to pass legislation preventing a no-deal withdrawal on October 31, Mr Gove told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show: “Let’s see what the legislation says.
“You’re asking me about a pig in a poke.
“And I will wait to see what legislation the opposition may try to bring forward.”
Mr Gove added: “For me, the most important thing is to bear in mind actually, we already have legislation in place which an overwhelming majority of MPs voted for.
“We already have an EU Withdrawal Act, we already have the notice on Article 50, the process by which we leave the EU.”
Mr Johnson held a strategy meeting with party whips and senior aides on Sunday in preparation for a tough week ahead.
Opponents of no deal look set to try to seize control of the parliamentary agenda to push through legislation delaying Brexit beyond October 31.
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