Fresh splits erupt among opposition parties over who would be PM in 'unity' government
2 min read
Fresh splits have erupted between Labour and the Lib Dems over who should be Prime Minister in a "unity" government if Boris Johnson is brought down over Brexit.
Jeremy Corbyn again hosted a meeting of the leaders of the opposition parties to try and plot the best way of blocking a no-deal departure on 31 October.
But it broke up without agreement over the Labour leader's insistence that he should become caretaker PM if the Government loses a vote of no confidence.
Lib Dem boss Jo Swinson reiterated that her party would not put Mr Corbyn in Number 10, and insisted that there was no Commons majority for it anyway.
"The position Corbyn is taking is that we can have an emergency government, but only if he gets to lead it," said a Lib Dem source. "They know they don't have the numbers, but they are insistent they won't work with anyone else.
"Their total unwillingness to work with anyone else makes the Labour Party the biggest barrier to stopping no-deal."
But writing in the i newspaper, Labour frontbencher Jon Trickett accused Ms Swinson of "trying to woo disaffected Tories" by opposing Mr Corbyn's bid for power.
He said: "When it comes to a choice between preventing no-deal or having a socialist as an interim Prime Minister, Swinson’s Lib Dems appear to have made their choice. They should be forced honestly to explain why."
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who has said her party would back Mr Corbyn, made clear her frustration at the ongoing impasse.
She tweeted: "Both Labour and the Lib Dems need to grow up. Who leads a temporary govt that will be in office for just a matter of days is not the key issue. What matters is getting this Tory government out, securing an extension and then having a General Election ASAP."
A Plaid Cymru source said: "It’s not about who, but about how we stop a disastrous crash-out Brexit. This is about policies not personalities.
"Plaid Cymru has said we will work with anyone who can command a majority if a caretaker administration is needed to block a no-deal, secure an extension and deliver a referendum."
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