The chances of a December election crept up this morning as both front benches signalled they were ready to push ahead as soon as possible, despite the fierce opposition of swathes of the Labour Party.

James Cleverly, the Tory Party chairman, asked about the prospect of a poll before Christmas, told Today on Radio 4: “I don’t want to be the Grinch but democracy is incredibly important.”

Three prominent members of the shadow cabinet have now stated publicly that they would back an imminent election, after Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, told Today that once an extension is agreed “if he [the prime minister] goes straight to a general election of course we’ll support it”.

Her comments follow those of John McDonnell, the