Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has today called on MPs who
oppose no-deal to set aside their differences to get it taken off
the table. She reaffirmed her commitment to lead the
fight to stop Brexit altogether, and argued that MPs who oppose a
catastrophic no-deal Brexit must work together on a deliverable
plan. Swinson set out options that could be used to avert a
no-deal – through amendments to Brexit legislation, new
legislation, or seizing control of the order...Request free trial
Liberal Democrat leader has today called on MPs who oppose no-deal to set aside
their differences to get it taken off the table.
She reaffirmed her commitment to lead the fight to stop
Brexit altogether, and argued that MPs who oppose a catastrophic
no-deal Brexit must work together on a deliverable plan.
Swinson set out options that could be used to avert a no-deal
– through amendments to Brexit legislation, new legislation, or
seizing control of the order paper which would stop a no-deal
Brexit without requiring an emergency government.
Swinson argued that the ultimate guarantor of this was a vote
of no confidence in and the formation of an
emergency government if necessary – but to do this people had to
set aside red lines drawn up to suit personal ambitions and instead
put the future of the country first. She criticised for failing to call a vote of
no confidence before the summer recess and his demand to lead any
emergency government.
Swinson instead suggested that following a vote of
no-confidence an emergency government could be led by Ken Clarke
and – the two most experienced
politicians in the House of Commons drawn from the Conservative and
Labour parties.
Following her speech, said:
"People are fed up of seeing politicians arguing for things
that put their party’s interest above the country. Today I have set
out a way forward that will stop us crashing out of Europe with
no-deal as is threatening us with. He has
no mandate for it, no public support and Parliament will not allow
him to push it forward.
"Liberal Democrats are the strongest remain party and we are
fighting to stop Brexit. We will not stand back and allow the
threat of a no-deal Brexit to continue to damage our economy and
risk people’s futures. That is why I have made several suggestions
of a way forward – from amending legislation that already exists,
to new laws, or an emergency government which is led by the two
most experienced MPs in the House of Commons.
"I will continue to talk to, and work with, MPs across all
parties and none to stop Brexit."
