Lib Dems offer alternative to backing Corbyn anti-Brexit government

The leader of the Liberal Democrats Jo Swinson has said that former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and Father of the House, Conservative MP Ken Clarke have expressed willingness to lead an emergency government to avert a no-deal Brexit.

The Lib Dems reluctance to get behind a Corbyn led unity government in favour of a rival plan led by two senior lawmakers comes as SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party all have pledged to back the Labour leader to avoid bailing out of the bloc without a deal.

Threat of no-deal Brexit intensifies

With Boris Johnson in Downing Street the prospect of Britain leaving the EU without a deal is more likely, with the prime minister regularly reiterating that the UK will leave on October 31 with or without a withdrawal agreement in place.

To avoid a disorderly exit from the EU, Corbyn wants anti-Brexit lawmakers to seize control of parliament via a no-confidence vote and the creation of a caretaker government with him at the helm as an interim prime minister. But Swinson’s Liberal Democrats do not want Corbyn at the helm of an emergency government.

Jeremy Corbyn should not lead, says Jo Swinson

Speaking to onlookers at a Stop Brexit event, Swinson said that there is no certainty that [Corbyn] can unite rebel Conservatives, independents or even Labour MPs to stop Boris Johnson.

Instead, she argues that the emergency government would benefit from Harmen and Clarke’s leadership with both MPs commanding respect on both sides of the aisle and boasting immense experience as lawmakers.

‘They put public duty first and they don’t want to see a no-deal Brexit,’ Swinson told BBC Radio on Friday. ‘If the House of Commons asks them to lead an emergency government to get our country out of this Brexit mess and to stop us driving off that cliff to a no deal, then yes they are prepared to do that.’