Brexit: Corbyn seeks clarity on election-time no-deal

Jeremy Corbyn has urged the UK’s most senior civil servant to intervene to prevent a no-deal Brexit during a general election campaign.

The Labour leader is concerned that Boris Johnson could call an election and withdraw the UK from the EU before polling day.

He has written to Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill saying such a move would be an “anti-democratic abuse of power”.

It comes amid speculation MPs will table a no-confidence motion in the PM.

It is thought opposition MPs could propose the vote in a bid to prevent the UK leaving the EU with no deal.

Mr Johnson has a working majority in Parliament of just one.

The UK will leave the EU on 31 October with or without a deal unless Article 50 is extended or revoked.

Mr Corbyn said the party would propose the vote at an “appropriate” time after the Commons returns from its summer recess on 3 September.

But when a general election is called, Parliament is dissolved 25 working days before the election – so some people are concerned Mr Johnson could push through a no-deal Brexit while MPs are away.

If the PM loses the motion of no-confidence, then under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act he would have another 14 days to win another vote.

If he fails to win the vote then a general election would be called on a date advised on by the PM.

However, if another candidate can secure the confidence of the Commons then, under cabinet rules, Mr Johnson would be expected to resign and recommend the Queen appoints the other person.

The ex-leader of the Liberal Democrats predicted his party and a “significant number” of Tories would support a no-confidence motion.

Sir Vince Cable told BBC’s Newsnight the UK has been in a constitutional crisis for “a long time” and there would be wide support for an “emergency administration” to take over from Mr Johnson.

Source – https://www.bbc.co.uk