Grant Shapps urges pro-Remain Tory rebels to think 'very hard' about backing Jeremy Corbyn's no-deal plan
3 min read
Grant Shapps has warned rebels in his own party to think "very hard" about supporting Jeremy Corbyn's bid to halt a no-deal Brexit.
The Transport Secretary said it would be "absolutely extraordinary" for any Conservative MP to support Jeremy Corbyn's efforts to lead a "time-limited" government which would extend Article 50 and trigger a fresh general election.
Former Tory ministers Dominic Grieve, Caroline Spelman and Oliver Letwin have all agreed to meet with the Labour leader to discuss their "common priority" of stopping a no-deal Brexit.
Alongside former Conservative MP Nick Boles, the trio said they would be "happy" to meet with Mr Corbyn and the leaders of other opposition parties in an effort to strike a deal ahead of the Hallowe'en deadline.
Meanwhile, former Tory minister Guto Bebb said the prospect of installing Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street for a short period would be "less damaging" than a no-deal Brexit.
Mr Bebb, who was not intially approached by Labour over the plan, said he believed there were "other alternatives" to the scheme, but added: "I do think that those who have said that they will do anything necessary to stop the long-term damage of a no deal exit must take seriously this type of offer."
"I certainly take the view that a short-term Jeremy Corbyn government is less damaging than the generational damage that would be caused by a no deal Brexit."
But the comments drew fury from Mr Shapps, who said his colleagues faced a "very clear choice" between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn.
"I think it's absolutely extraordinary that any Conservative MP considered even for one minute installing Jeremy Corbyn Downing Street," he said.
"Jeremy Corbyn would wreck our economy, he would destroy jobs and livelihoods, savings, I think he also can't be trusted with security or come and you know... and I just think that any Conservative should think very, very hard about doing this.
"It actually presents a very clear choice.
"You either have Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister overturning the result of the referendum or Boris Johnson respecting the referendum, putting more money into the NHS, more police on the streets to keep us all safe."
"Red Lines"
The pro-Remain Tories have also sparked a furious backlash among their local Conservative Associations, with Mr Grieve's Beaconsfield association chairman Ng Jackson telling the Telegraph he had been "inundated with irate emails" from members.
"The continuous and thoroughly un-Conservative behaviour exhibited by Dominic Grieve and his behaviour towards the government has become more worrying," Mr Jackson said.
"Should he entertain the idea of siding with Jeremy Corbyn or any other Government other than the existing Conservative Government currently being led by Boris Johnson, he will leave us no choice at all as an Association."
Meanwhile, a source at Sir Oliver's West Dorset association told the paper: "We are completely at odds with our MP over this. This is the latest of many red lines he has crossed."
Eslewhere, former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith accused his colleagues of "betraying" the British people by attempting to thwart the Brexit process.
Writing for the Telegraph, he added: "I was astounded when I heard that Conservatives might go along with this Marxist who presides over a party mired in charges of anti-semitism and who would break up the Union
"I believe the greatest danger we face is without question a Corbyn government - which would bankrupt our country. How can any self-respecting Conservative be prepared to see Mr Corbyn and John McDonnell in Downing Street?"
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