David Gauke: When your bell rings in December, you expect to be sung a carol – not asked how you’re going to vote

The result of a general election next month would by no means be a foregone conclusion.

WATCH: Umunna says his party will back a poll on December 9 – if the Withdrawal Bill is dropped

“It refers this issue back to the people so we can end the gridlock in Westminster,” explains Chuka Umunna.

WATCH: The LibDem election offer. ‘It’s just a stunt so that they can get on the telly,’ insists the Shadow Health Secretary

Jon Ashworth dismisses a counter-offer on an election by the Lib Dems and SNP.

Karen Bradley: Why I’ve doubts about an autumn election – and want the Withdrawal Bill brought back now

I fear that we would lose too many good colleagues to a Remain coalition in the south, and would not pick up enough Leave-voting seats in the midlands and the north.

Iain Dale: Johnson is in a position to win an election – and may not get another chance to do so for quite some time

Plus: I have the right to speak my mind about Liverpool. Plus: am I a true Conservative?

Oliver Nottidge: Will ‘Bollocks to Brexit’ work in a General Election?

The Lib Dems did well in the European elections and are riding high in the opinion polls, but how much of an electoral threat are they to Conservative MPs?

The case for and against seeking a general election this year

ConservativeHome is very dubious that, assuming a poll is deliverable, the Party can win a healthy majority without already having delivered Brexit.

Andrew Gimson’s PMQs sketch: Johnson shows a Dickensian ability to tell the truth by exaggerating it

He increased the pressure on Labour to facilitate a Brexit deal by reminding everyone that he is a formidable electioneer.

WATCH: Farage – “It is nothing more than Brexit in name only”

‘This is a rotten deal….If Boris Johnson had presented this six months ago, the ERG would have voted against it’ says Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage

James Frayne: Voters would welcome a Brexit deal. But it might harm and not help the Conservatives with working class voters.

Would they actually think that, now Brexit’s done and immigration back under control, that they can return to their natural home in the Labour Party?

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: Corbyn the Puritan takes on Johnson the Merry Englander

The start of the debate on the Queen’s Speech showed how the general election will be fought.

Wanted in Beaconsfield: a Conservative candidate

Grieve’s intention of standing in the seat as an independent makes it a test case for early selection and local choice.

Don’t assume that this Commons will vote for a general election

MPs would thus become the elected equivalents of the welfare scroungers of tabloid legend – dragging the reputation of Parliament even deeper into the mud.

In defence of the Prime Minister

Complaints from broadcasters and the media about language are synthetic and hypocritical. The real issue is the delay of the general election – which is indefensible.

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: The Attorney-General thunders against the turkeys – and warns them that Christmas is coming

Cox fulminated against Opposition MPs for being frightened of voting for a general election.