Johnson’s obliteration of Commons majority has opened possibility that Corbyn could approach Queen without even needed a no-confidence vote. MPs who want to stop Johnson’s no-deal Brexit need to take up Corbyn’s interim-PM offer – and more
Boris Johnson’s humiliating Commons defeat and subsequent implosion leading to the sacking of twenty-one MPs from the Tory whip – along with the defection of Philip Lee to the LibDems – has turned Johnson’s wafer-thin majority of a single MP (even with DUP support) into a huge minority of forty-three.
Johnson has lost his mandate to govern, as Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell signalled in a tweet:
Labour sources have pointed out that with no majority and opposition parties now having a potential majority, Jeremy Corbyn could in principle approach the Queen and ask to form a government – with no need for a vote of no confidence.
While the SNP has indicated it would work with Corbyn to prevent a no-deal Brexit, the LibDems have flip-flopped, saying they would do anything to stop no-deal while simultaneously saying they won’t work with Corbyn.
If they are serious about avoiding Johnson’s no-deal ‘cliff edge’ on 31 October, the LibDems and every other MP opposed to a no-deal Brexit need to revisit Corbyn’s offer to act as interim Prime Minister.
But not merely in order to agree an extension with the EU and then call a general election.
“With Johnson having destroyed his own majority and potentially his party, that is the most democratic and sane option available.”
Corbyn should negotiate a Labour Brexit deal with the EU – whose officials have already described Corbyn’s vision of Brexit as ‘heavenly’ – and then call a general election, with Labour campaigning on the basis of leaving the EU on the terms of its deal.
With Johnson having destroyed his own majority and potentially his party, that is the most democratic and sane option available.
And if centrist MPs are really confident that their remain option will be the most attractive to voters, what do they need to fear?
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