Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Key MPs against Corbyn proposal
JEREMY Corbyn’s plan to prevent a no-deal Brexit by being installed as a caretaker prime minister has been rejected by some key MPs needed for its success.
The SNP and Plaid Cymru signalled they could support the Labour leader’s proposal of a no-confidence vote, extension to the departure deadline under his premiership and a general election.
Bu the Liberal Democrats rejected the plan, as did senior Tory Remainer Dame Caroline Spelman and the Independent Group for Change.
Mr Corbyn proposed forming a government on a “strictly timelimited” basis to prevent a sudden departure under Boris Johnson, hoping he could win over his personal critics to support the anti-no-deal cause.
But Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson called for a less divisive figure to form a unity government.
“There is no way he can unite rebel Conservatives and Independents to stop Boris Johnson. It is not even certain that he would secure all the votes of Labour MPs,” Ms Swinson said.
She instead suggested veteran MPs Ken Clarke or Harriet Harman for the role because they are “respected on both sides of the House”.
Anna Soubry, leader of the Independent Group for Change, which has five MPs, said Mr Corbyn “is not the person given he struggles to maintain the confidence of his own backbenchers”.
But SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon did not rule out the backing of her party’s 35 MPs.
“It’s no secret, I’m not the greatest fan of Jeremy Corbyn, but we won’t rule out any option if it helps avert what is a looming catastrophe of a no-deal Brexit,” she told the BBC.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said some Conservative MPs had “responded positively” to meet over the plan.