Corbyn outlines plans to prevent no-deal

Jeremy Corbyn plans to defeat a no-deal Brexit under Boris Johnson by securing a general election as leader of a “strictly time-limited” caretaker government after winning a no-confidence vote.

The Labour leader would also secure an extension to the Article 50 process to delay the UK leaving the European Union past the October 31 deadline.

Mr Corbyn outlined his plan yesterday to seek a no-confidence vote at the “earliest opportunity when we can be confident of success” in a letter to Westminster’s opposition leaders and key Tory rebels.

It comes amid persistent fears of a chaotic and damaging no- deal Brexit under the prime minister’s “do or die” commitment to leave the EU by the deadline.

But the Liberal Democrats dismissed the Labour leader as being the wrong person to lead a temporary government, while Downing Street criticised him for planning to “overrule the referendum”.

Mr Corbyn wrote: “This government has no mandate for no-deal, and the 2016 EU referendum provided no mandate for no-deal.

“I therefore intend to table a vote of no confidence at the earliest opportunity when we can be confident of success.

“Following a successful vote of no confidence in the government, I would then, as leader of the Opposition, seek the confidence of the house for a strictly time-limited temporary government with the aim of calling a general election, and securing the necessary extension of Article 50 to do so.”

Mr Corbyn said Labour would campaign in that election for a second EU referendum with the option to Remain being available to voters.

He concluded in the letter sent to Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, the SNP’s Ian Blackford and Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts that he hopes to discuss the proposals with them.

Mr Blackford welcomed the Labour leader’s letter and said the SNP would bring down the Tories in a no-confidence vote.

He said: “I will be pleased to meet with the Labour leader and others at the earliest opportunity to work together. I can also confirm that the SNP stands ready to bring down this Tory government should Labour table a Vote of No Confidence motion.”