The only chance Boris Johnson has of winning any kind of vote is through another referendum

Editorial: The pressure of events and the games being played with the constitution are fracturing politics and bringing a resolution to the Brexit crisis no nearer. But a Final Say would ease the impasse

Not for the first time, Boris Johnson should be careful about what he wishes for, and what he threatens. He may well believe that, as he indicates, his MPs owe their loyalty to him, and that a general election would mean that the careers of the Tory rebels would be at an end, and that that would be entirely their own fault for frustrating the will of the people. Loyalists, prepared to countenance no deal, can be found to replace them. And yet, a general election is not in Mr Johnson’s gift, no matter how many tricks he pulls. The Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 makes clear that he cannot simply resign and ask the Queen to dissolve parliament, as used to be the case. That is Nick Clegg’s revenge.

Mr Johnson must instead ask the Commons for a two-thirds majority in order to resign, and even start the process. If the Labour Party and others believe it is not in the national interest to hold an election at such a moment, then the threat falls. Mr Johnson is made to look as foolish as he did when he was caught on a zip wire.

It is a topsy-turvy world.