Opposition parties plan to thwart hard Brexit

OPPOSITION parties have agreed to meet next week to discuss plans to block a no-deal Brexit in Parliament.

On Wednesday, Jeremy Corbyn wrote to senior opposition leaders in Westminster and key Tory Remainbacking rebels, calling for a meeting next Tuesday aimed at stopping Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal.

In his letter, the Labour leader said: “The country is heading into a constitutional and political storm, so it is vital that we meet urgently, before Parliament returns.”

The Liberal Democrats, SNP, Change UK, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have since agreed to attend the meeting.

Mr Corbyn also invited five Remain-backing former Conservative ministers. So far, however, Tory MP Dame Caroline Spelman and independent MP Nick Boles have said they are not willing to meet him.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has said she will meet Mr Corbyn, despite saying last week that her party could not support a government of national unity with him at the helm.

In a tweet, she said: “I look forward to discussing how we can stop the disastrous consequences of no-deal and will be asking Jeremy Corbyn if he is open to all options to prevent it. We have to focus on plans that have a chance of success.”

The SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford has also agreed to meet the Labour leader.

On Wednesday Mr Blackford said: He said: “Boris Johnson is taking the UK towards a Brexit disaster. With time running out, it is now vital that MPs take every step necessary to stop Brexit and block a catastrophic no-deal.”

Plaid Cymru’s Commons leader Liz Saville-Roberts said she would meet Mr Corbyn, but added: “In this crisis, policy comes before personality. If Corbyn fails to offer workable plan, others must be given the opportunity.”

Change UK leader Anna Soubry and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas have also confirmed they will attend.

Former attorney general Dominic Grieve told the PA news agency he is willing to meet Mr Corbyn but is unavailable next Tuesday.

Former Tory ministers Sir Oliver Letwin and Guto Bebb also received an invitation from the Labour leader.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at noon on August 27.