Watson under fire from Corbynites for unity call
SUPPORTERS of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have attacked Black Country MP Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, for saying politicians from different parties should work together to stop a “no-deal” Brexit.
Mr Watson was speaking at an event alongside Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson when he made the comment.
Mr Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, said: “We cannot tolerate an undemocratic and disastrous no deal being forced on the country by Boris Johnson. It would do dreadful damage to the whole country, and
particularly manufacturing heartlands like mine in West Bromwich.
“It would mean jobs lost, prices soaring, export tariffs hiked. It could mean shortages of food and medical supplies. It would affect the lives and livelihoods of so many people, young and old, terribly.”
And he said: “Democrats have got to realise in this crisis that we’re stronger together if we work together.”
But bloggers and websites that support Mr Corbyn attacked the comments. Left-wing proCorbyn website The
Canary published a column claiming Mr Watson was “more dangerous by the day” and had “thrown Labour under a bus”, while Novara Media’s Aaron Bastani called him “an utterly craven opportunist”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he will deliver Brexit “do or die” on October 3 1 . There have been calls for the creation of a government of national unity, bringing different parties together to replace the Conservative administration.
It would exist for a short time – long enough to stop a no-deal Brexit – and there would then be a General Election. Mr Watson did not go that far – but his comments have been seen as suggesting he could support the idea.
Mr Corbyn’s supporters object as any such coalition would not be led by him. Instead, possible candidates include Labour backbenchers or leaders of smaller opposition parties.
Under the Fixed-Term Parliament Act, MPs have 14 days in which to form a new government if the sitting PM loses a confidence motion.