Scheme to defeat no-deal

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 referendum on EU membership with the option to Remain available to voters.

Sent to the SNP’s Ian Blackford, Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts and Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, he concluded that he hopes to discuss the proposals with them further to “end the uncertainty and disarray”.

Mr Corbyn could secure his proposed temporary administration by winning the support of the House of Commons after defeating Mr Johnson with the majority of MPs backing a vote of no confidence in the Government.

Then, as PM, he could table a motion for an early general election which would succeed with the support of twothirds of the seats in the Commons, in the same fashion as Theresa May’s doomed vote in 2017.

Mr Corbyn will hope that the promise of his government only being temporary will be enough to secure the support of his critics who otherwise want to halt a no-deal.

Ms Saville Roberts welcomed the Labour leader’s letter, saying Plaid Cymru is open to a unity government regardless of who leads it. But she said it must have “stopping Brexit” as its first priority.

“It’s extremely disappointing, therefore, that Mr Corbyn cannot bring himself to take the best possible pro-European option – a referendum first, followed by a general election,” she said.