Swinson calls on Corbyn to clarify stance on Brexit
CROSS-PARTY talks convened by Jeremy Corbyn to prevent a no-deal Brexit should examine how to seize control of Commons business, oust Boris Johnson and install an emergency government of national unity, Jo Swinson said.
The Liberal Democrat leader, who will attend tomorrow’s meeting with Mr Corbyn, also called for him to clarify his own stance on whether he wanted to reverse Brexit.
Ms Swinson suggested that any interim government which took office following a vote of no confidence in Mr Johnson should be led by a figure who could command support across the Commons – something she said Mr Corbyn would not be able to do.
She said: “The meeting between opposition leaders tomorrow is an opportunity to reassure the British public that politicians are leaving no option off the table when faced with crashing out of the EU.
“We cannot allow party politics to stand in the way of finding a solution that works to prevent the national crisis approaching us.
“The Liberal Democrats stand ready to do everything we can to prevent not only a no-deal Brexit, but to stop Brexit altogether.”
In her letter to Mr Corbyn, the Lib Dem leader said an emergency government formed after a successful no-confidence vote “must have the majority support required to request and secure an Article 50 extension” to delay Brexit beyond October 31.
But many MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit, in particular “key Conservative MPs”, have rejected Mr Corbyn as the leader of a caretaker government.
She warned the Labour leader: “Insisting you lead that emergency government will therefore jeopardise the chances of a no-confidence vote gaining enough support to pass in the first place.”
Ms Swinson said veteran MPs Tory Ken Clarke and Labour’s Harriet Harman had indicated they would be willing to lead an emergency government.
She also called on Mr Corbyn to spell out whether he was opposed to Brexit altogether.
“You have previously said that you would seek to negotiate a Labour Brexit if in power, and Labour’s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell recently suggested that Labour could remain neutral in a future People’s Vote,” she said.
“It would be appreciated by Remain voters across the country that both your personal and your party’s position could be clarified in these discussions.”