The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Swinson told she does not get to choose the next Prime Minister
Corbyn hits out at leader of Liberal Democrats for rejecting his plan
Jeremy Corbyn has struck out at Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson after she rejected his plan to lead an emergency government to thwart a no-deal Brexit.
The Labour leader said that “it’s not up to Jo Swinson to decide who the next prime minister is going to be” after she dismissed his proposal to force a general election as “nonsense”.
Ms Swinson is coming under increasing pressure to back Mr Corbyn’s suggestion, which includes forcing out Boris Johnson in a vote of no confidence and securing an extension to the Brexit deadline beyond October 31.
But she has maintained her stance that he is not the right politician for the job, despite agreeing to meet him to discuss a no deal prevention plan.
Mr Corbyn yesterday rejected her suggestion that Ken Clarke or Harriet Harman could lead the emergency government.
He added: “Surely she must recognise she is a leader of one of the opposition parties who are apparently opposed to this government and apparently prepared to support a motion of no confidence.”
Mr Corbyn said Ms Swinson should respect the “normal precedent” to allow the leader of the opposition to form an administration after a successful vote of no confidence in the government.
Ms Swinson said she has spoken to her favoured candidates and won their assurances they are ready to “put public duty first” to “stop us driving off that cliff”.
However, Mr Corbyn’s plan has won the potential backing of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Tory MP Guto Bebb.
Nicola Sturgeon was among those applying pressure on Ms Swinson.
Senior Remain-supporting Tories Dominic Grieve and Sir Oliver Letwin, as well as independent MP Nick Boles, have also agreed to meet Mr Corbyn.
However, Mr Grieve said he would not be backing the Labour plan, instead saying he was open to working with likeminded MPs to prevent a “catastrophic” no deal.
“In that context, I’m prepared to speak to any parliamentarian who shares that view, including the leader of the opposition. If he is against no deal, I’m happy to talk. That is very different to thinking he is an appropriate figure to lead a government,” he said.
Tory rebel Dame Caroline Spelman and the Independent Group for Change also ruled out support for any Corbyn government, with a source close to Dame Caroline dismissing any chance of her meeting with Mr Corbyn.