The SNP have announced they are “open-minded” about backing Jeremy Corbyn as a temporary Prime Minister to stop no-deal Brexit .
Party leader Nicola Sturgeon today said the opposition must “unite behind a plan and act” to stop Boris Johnson crashing the UK out of the EU on October 31.
Scotland’s First Minister suggested a vote of no confidence in the UK government, followed by a caretaker Prime Minister to delay Brexit, then an immediate general election .
“Nothing is risk free but leaving Johnson in post to force through no deal, or even a bad deal, seems like a terrible idea to me,” she said.
“The point I’m making is not really about who [a temporary Prime Minister] should be – I’m open minded on that – more that the opposition needs to unite behind a plan and act.”
The SNP are the third-largest party in Parliament with 35 MPs and their backing would be crucial in any vote to topple Boris Johnson.
(Image: Jeff J Mitchell)
But Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, whose 18 MPs would also be needed, has refused to support the idea of Mr Corbyn as an interim PM. Instead she wants a less divisive grandee like Harriet Harman or Ken Clarke.
So far this has left Labour in a stalemate.
Installing a caretaker Prime Minister is a two-stage process.
First the opposition would have to win a no confidence vote in Boris Johnson’s government, which does not have a majority.
But then they would need to unite within 14 days around an interim leader – otherwise, a general election would be triggered.
MPs fear that if October 31 falls in the middle of that election campaign, Boris Johnson could exploit the lack of a Parliament to find a way round the law and force through a no-deal Brexit.
(Image: Hollie Adams)
Ms Sturgeon’s announcement today ups the chances of Jeremy Corbyn being able to win a place as that interim PM.
But a Lib Dem source said Labour’s leader was still well short of the number of supporters he would need.
They said: “He doesn’t have the numbers, because Hammond, Gauke et al have said they won’t vote for him.
“Anna Soubry has said Change won’t vote for him. We’re pretty sure [not all] the Labour MPs [will] even vote for him.”
The Lib Dem source added: “We’ve suggested some candidates that we think would command respect and we think the house should unite behind those.
“But we are open to suggestions if other people have people to bring to the table.”
An SNP spokesman said: “The SNP has led the way in ensuring Brexit can be stopped and in bringing parliament back into action after the Tories sought to shut down UK democracy, and we will continue to work with all opposition MPs to stop a no deal Brexit and call a General Election to remove this dangerous and undemocratic Prime Minister as soon as possible.
“It is now possible – if the political will is there – that parties could come together to ensure that the letter to secure an extension is not left in the hands of Boris Johnson and his cronies, who are determined to find a way to get around the Benn Act, but is instead sent by a temporary caretaker prime minister, who would be in office only as long as is necessary to send the letter, with an election held immediately afterwards. We remain open to all options to achieve the aim of stopping a No Deal Brexit and getting rid of Boris Johnson.”
