MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit put on a show of force against what Labour calls Boris Johnson ’s “threat to democracy”.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell joined the 160-strong cross-party group for its “declaration” at Westminster’s historic Church House on Tuesday.
Earlier opposition leaders met in Jeremy Corbyn ’s office and agreed to try to stop the UK crashing out of the EU on October 31 through legislation in the Commons next week.
It means the Labour leader has dropped a plan to install himself as caretaker PM after an no-confidence motion in Boris Johnson as soon as MPs return next Tuesday.
(Image: PA)
Mr McDonnell was joined on stage by ex Tory Anna Soubry, Green MP Caroline Lucas, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts and SNP leaders Ian Blackford.
The Shadow Chancellor said: “Prime ministers come and prime ministers go. But actually I don’t think we have ever seen a Prime Minister like this who has the potential to threaten the very nature of our democracy.”
Party leaders plan further meetings in the coming days after spending more than an hour in Mr Corbyn’s Commons office.
The Labour leader insisted his plan to topple Mr Johnson had merely been delayed.
He said: “The motion of no confidence will be put, by me, at an appropriate time but obviously not the first item next Tuesday.”
(Image: PA)
Meanwhile Mr Johnson’s administration is ramping up efforts to find a deal with the EU.
The UK’s chief negotiator David Frost headed to Brussels as Downing Street hopes to cash in on what they see as positive “mood music” on the back of the G7 summit.
Number 10 confirmed the PM is willing to accept all of the Withdrawal Agreement except the controversial Northern Ireland backstop, setting Mr Johnson up for a row with Tory ultra leavers.
Privately, officials sounded a note of caution about any breakthrough.
Elsewhere Shadow Attorney General Shami Chakrabarti said High Court judges can block the PM forcing through a no-deal Brexit .
In related news, a ‘misleading’ Government radio ad which said EU citizens only needed their passport and an ID card to apply to stay in the UK after Brexit has been banned. More than a quarter needed other documents.
