Lib Dems prepared to talk with Labour on stopping no-deal Brexit
By Frank Prenesti
Date: Friday 16 Aug 2019
(Sharecast News) - Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson said she was prepared to work with the Labour party to stop a no-deal Brexit, although she still felt Jeremy Corbyn would not have enough support to lead a unity government.
She also said Conservative veteran Ken Clarke and senior Labour MP Harriet Harman were prepared to lead an emergency administration.
"I have been in touch with them because obviously you don't just mention people's names without checking that they're OK with that," Swinson said in an interview on Friday.
"They put public duty first, and they don't want to see a no-deal Brexit, and if the House of Commons asks them to lead an emergency government to get our country out of this Brexit mess and to stop us driving off that cliff to a no deal, then yes, they are prepared to do that and I think that is to their credit."
Corbyn on Thursday wrote to the leaders of the other opposition parties and Tory rebels spelling out how he would topple the government using a no confidence vote and form a "strictly time-limited" caretaker government to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Swinson swiftly rejected the idea, but has since been pressured to talk to the Labour leader given Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to take the UK out of the European Union by October 31.
Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon and the Green Party's Caroline Lucas both urged her to open a dialogue.
"I've always said I wanted to talk to him about it, and I think that dialogue is really important between anyone who wants to stop a no-deal Brexit," Swinson said.
"I think we have to focus on how we can actually succeed in stopping no deal because the clock is ticking. And I think it is good to talk to other parties - and I'm doing that, I've been doing that all summer and, obviously, just before the House of Commons rose for the recess I encouraged Jeremy Corbyn to table a vote of no confidence, which he didn't do."
On Thursday Swinson was far more scathing of Corbyn's motives, saying: "There is no way he can unite rebel Conservatives and independents to stop Boris Johnson. It's not even certain he could secure all the votes of Labour MPs. This isn't about personalities, this is about having a plan that actually works."
Sturgeon said Corbyn's suggestion was "not the only possible option - but given the circumstances, nothing should be ruled out at this stage. Jo Swinson should rethink".
In a video message Lucas said: "Jo, we need to stop Boris Johnson. We need a people's vote. Please join us in engaging with Corbyn to see if we can find a way forward."
Email this article to a friend
or share it with one of these popular networks:
You are here: news
10 Lower Thames St,
London EC3R 6EN