PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has failed to win backing from MPs to hold a General Election.

Some 298 voted in favour of the motion while just 56 voted against, however two thirds of MPs were required to pass the motion - so for now, there'll be no election.

So few MPs took part in the vote as Labour decided to abstain.

Johnson said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn "has become the first leader of the opposition in the democratic history of our country to refuse the invitation of an election".

"I can only speculate as to the reason behind his hesitation," he added.

"The obvious conclusion is he does not think he can win."

READ MORE: Westminster: PM faces MPs after Commons defeat

Earlier Corbyn explained he would not back the motion because his priority was stopping No Deal via the Benn Bill.

It had been suggested that if MPs had voted to hold an election the PM could have changed the date it was due to be held to after October 31 when the UK is due to leave the EU.

This could have resulted in Johnson managing to get both a No-Deal Brexit and a General Election. 

Corbyn said: "The offer of the election today is a bit like the offer of an apple to Snow White from the Wicked Queen. Because what he's offering is not an apple or even an election but the poison of a No Deal. 

"So Mr Speaker, I repeat what I said last night. Let this Bill pass, and gain royal assent, then we will back an election so we do not crash out with a No-Deal exit from the European Union."

READ MORE: PMQs: Ian Blackford asks Johnson if he's a dictator or democrat

The SNP also said they would not back the motion. The party's Westminster leader Ian Blackford told the Commons: "We will not be party to the Prime Minister's games."

He explained the SNP couldn't back the election as they "do not trust" Johnson.

For now there will be no General Election - but since the PM no longer has a working majority, it's unclear how much longer he can continue without holding a vote.