Lib Dems dash hopes of caretaker government

The Liberal Democrats have dashed Labour hopes for a Jeremy Corbyn-led caretaker government after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon gave her backing for the move to prevent a nodeal Brexit.

The SNP leader yesterday said she would support the Labour leader as a candidate for caretaker prime minister, though added she was “open minded” about who takes on the role.

The first minister said she supports the Labour plan of bringing down Boris Johnson with a vote of no confidence and then securing a Brexit extension before an immediate general election.

But Labour would need vast cross-party support for the move to work, including from those among the Lib Dems’ 18 MPS, the Independent Group for Change (IGC) and the 21 exiled Tories.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has called Mr Corbyn unfit to govern, and a party spokesman made clear yesterday that they do not believe he can win the backing of the Commons.

“The question of whether or not we would support Corbyn in an emergency government is futile. He does not command the support of the House,” a spokesman said.

“Liberal Democrats are clear that we need to bring people together and find a candidate that can command the support of the House, and to push this disgraceful Conservative government out of office.”

IGC leader Anna Soubry told the PA news agency she was “disappointed” with the SNP for expressing their support, and pointed towards suggestions that expelled Tory veteran Ken Clarke should take on the role.

Nicola Sturgeon and Jo Swinson.