The government has lost its bid to trigger a general election on December 12 after Labour abstained in a crucial vote - leaving Boris Johnson without the support he needed.

Amid rowdy scenes in parliament, the Prime Minister urged MPs to back a snap poll in an attempt to break the Brexit deadlock.

Although 299 MPs voted in favour of his bill and only 70 against, it did not gain the two-thirds majority needed to be passed.

Mr Johnson earlier said Labour had "run out of excuses" for opposing an early general election.

He said "nobody relished" going to the polls in winter - but this parliament had "run its course" and was "incapable" of delivering Brexit.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn retaliated that the PM could not be trusted.

"Today he wants an election and his bill - not with our endorsement," he said.

"How can we trust him that he will stick to that date?”

He added: "When no-deal is off the table, when the date for an election can be fixed in law and when we can ensure students are not being disenfranchised, we will back an election."

While the Prime Minister lost his bid to call for an election, the government was still leaving the door ajar to a separate call for an election on December 9 tabled by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP.

Party leader Jo Swinson said the Lib Dems had been consistent in wanting to block Brexit.

Meanwhile, South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay said that while he deplored the delay, it could be used to the government’s advantage.

He tweeted: “Looks like disgraceful Benn/#SurrenderAct has delivered what the #Brexit blockers intended -a foul & unwanted extension.

"So be it; gives us the time that wasn’t available to the #PM to reopen the #WA and get changes to #NIProtocol to the satisfaction of of @duponline #Silverlining."

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