John Major has warned Theresa May a general election is the “last thing” the country needs, amid speculation the prime minister could be on the verge of asking for another snap poll.
The former PM said on Sunday it was “very unlikely” an election would produce a government with a clear working majority.
“The prime minister is blocked in on every side, I utterly can empathise with her frustration but I think a general election will solve nothing at this moment,” he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.
Major also raised the prospect of the need for the formation of “a cross-party government” to solve the Brexit deadlock in the “national interest”.
Downing Street aides have signalled the PM will make another last-ditch attempt to get her deal through the Commons after it was voted down for a third time on Friday.
Following the vote, May said there would be “grave” implications and, in a hint at a general election, warned they were “reaching the limits of this process in this House”.
The comment was taken as a suggestion she might decide to call an election.
It comes as MPs prepared to take control again of the Commons timetable with a second series of “indicative” votes starting on Monday in attempt to find a alternative plan which can command a majority in the House.
Many Brexiteers fear the cross-party initiative – led by former minister Sir Oliver Letwin – will inevitably lead to a “softer” Brexit and a lengthy delay, or even no Brexit at all.
It has also emerged that 170 Tory MPs had written to the prime minister demanding a swift departure – with or without a deal.
The letter was said to have been signed by 10 members of the Cabinet – including Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid – and 20 other ministers.
Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis confirmed the existence of the letter, saying: “I haven’t signed the letter. I do know about it.”
The letter followed a warning by the prime minister that an extended delay to Brexit was “almost certain” if her deal does not go through.
Following the defeat on Friday, she warned the Commons would not allow Britain to leave without a deal on April 12 – the new deadline set by the EU.
Any extension beyond that date would require Britain to take part in elections in May to the European Parliament – something Brexiteers are desperate to avoid.