WATCH: Tory MP claims 'caretaker' Jeremy Corbyn government is ‘less damaging’ than no-deal Brexit
3 min read
Tory MP Guto Bebb has claimed a short-term Jeremy Corbyn government would be “less damaging” than a no-deal Brexit.
The former minister made the comments after the Labour leader wrote to other parties asking them to support him as a “caretaker PM” to block a no-deal scenario.
The MP for Aberconwy had already hinted he could support a vote of no confidence in his own Prime Minister, but speaking to BBC News went further.
And the extraordinary suggestion could see Mr Bebb lose the Conservative whip, thereby wiping out Boris Johnson’s majority entirely.
Speaking after the Liberal Democrats rejected Mr Corbyn’s offer to take charge after Mr Johnson is deposed, he said: “I think there are other alternatives that are open to us.
“But 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.”
He added: “So I think that there are other proposals that can be taken in terms of ensuring no deal is taken off the table.
“But 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.”
Mr Bebb, who resigned as a defence minister to back a second EU referendum, announced last month he would be stepping down from Parliament ahead of the next general election.
His confirmation he would back a vote of no confidence over the UK leaving without a deal follows a group of his fellow Tory MPs saying they would meet Mr Corbyn to discuss his plan.
Dominic Grieve, Caroline Spelman and Oliver Letwin, plus the former Conservative Nick Boles replied to his letter, writing: “We agree that our common priority should be to work together in parliament to stop a no-deal Brexit and welcome your invitation to discuss the different ways this might be achieved.”
It followed supportive comments from the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party for the idea of installing the Labour leader in Number 10 on an interim basis.
But Anna Soubry, the leader of the Independent Group for Change, echoed Ms Swinson’s concerns about putting Mr Corbyn in charge, saying “he doesn’t command support or respect in his own political party, never mind across the parliamentary divide”.
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