I will not back government's election bid, says UK former finance minister

• This is not the time to be holding a general election, it is a time for cool heads and grown up government.
• The government should stop making threats, stop throwing tantrums and get on with the grown up business of doing its business.

"I shall be voting against him.

This is not the time to be holding a general election, it is a time for cool heads and grown up government," Hammond told Sky News, adding that parliament should instead be scrutinising the Brexit deal.

"The government should stop making threats, stop throwing tantrums and get on with the grown up business of doing its business.