Jeremy Corbyn has announced his plan to stop a No Deal Brexit. He wants to be installed as a Caretaker Prime Minister who would immediately ask for an extension of Article 50, then call a general election.
https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1161751909788782594The Greens, SNP and Plaid are open to the idea but prefer a second referendum to be held, rather than a general election. The Lib Dems and TIG are opposed. Lib Dem leader instead calling for Harriet Harman or Ken Clarke to take over as PM.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49352250Lib Dem response:
But Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said she would not support making Mr Corbyn prime minister.
She called him "divisive" and said he would not command MPs' support.
In speech on Thursday, she said her party would work with others to stop a no-deal exit but Mr Corbyn was not a leader "respected on both sides of the House".
Instead, she suggested Tory MP Ken Clarke or Labour's Harriet Harman could lead an emergency government to prevent a no-deal on the 31 October deadline.
Government response:
Downing Street said Mr Corbyn would "overrule the referendum and wreck the economy" if he became prime minister.
A No 10 spokesman said: "This government believes the people are the masters and votes should be respected.
"Jeremy Corbyn believes that the people are the servants and politicians can cancel public votes they don't like."
Other parties + Tory rebels response:
Green MP Caroline Lucas welcomed Mr Corbyn's call for a vote of no confidence but insisted a referendum must be held before any general election
Plaid Cymru's Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts said she welcomed any attempt to stop no-deal but said it was "disappointing" that he would not commit to calling a referendum before an election
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said his party would support the principle of a no-confidence vote, but "there is no mechanism for a caretaker government at the moment"
Also receiving the letter were Tory MPs Dominic Grieve, Sir Oliver Letwin and Dame Caroline Spelman, and Nick Boles, the independent MP who quit the Tory Party over Brexit.
Responding on Thursday, they said they were happy to support cross-party work to block no deal and meet Mr Corbyn and MPs from other parties in the coming weeks.
Change UK leader Anna Soubry, who was not sent the letter, said Mr Corbyn "doesn't even command respect and support from his own party never mind across the political divide".
