Jeremy Corbyn has stressed that his party’s top priority should be to stop a No Deal Brexit rather than a General Election – but that he also wants to become a caretaker Prime Minister.
Speaking to reporters at an announcement to scrap Universal Credit in Chingford, Essex, the Labour leader, 70, said ‘absolutely’ when asked if he was ready to lead the country, as a General Election is ‘getting more likely every single day’.
His ambiguous statement comes after he had a ‘productive meeting’ with other opposition parties on Thursday about removing Boris Johnson as Prime Minister and what would unfold afterwards.
Jeremy Corbyn has stressed that his party’s top priority should be to stop a No Deal Brexit rather than a General Election – but that he also wants to become a caretaker Prime Minister
Asked if he was ready to become an interim Prime Minister if necessary, Mr Corbyn said: ‘Absolutely’
But he maintained that their current priority was preventing a No-Deal Brexit on October 31 which could still be a possibility if the EU declines to offer an extension.
Corbyn also introduced Parliamentary candidate Faiza Shaheen, who will be contesting the seat held by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who was the initial architect of Universal Credit.
The Labour leader told reporters: ‘Our priority, all of us, is to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union on the 31st.
‘And to make the Government carry out the EU number two act which requires them, in the event of a no-deal, to apply for an extension before the 31st of October so that we can continue our normal trading arrangements and then have a serious discussion about the future.
Corbyn used the speech to introduce Parliamentary candidate Faiza Shaheen, who will be contesting the seat held by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who was the initial architect of Universal Credit
The Labour leader told reporters: ‘Our priority, all of us, is to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union on the 31st’
‘This Tory government has been defeated over 45 times in Parliament. They don’t have a majority, they don’t have a programme, they don’t have the policies,’ Mr Corbyn added
‘At that point, we’re ready for an election.
‘But the priority is to prevent a no-deal exit, with all the problems this could cause the people of this country.’
Asked if he was ready to become an interim Prime Minister if necessary, Mr Corbyn said: ‘Absolutely.
‘The normal process is that when a government collapses, the leader of the opposition is invited to form a minority government in order to carry through a specific and strictly limited process which would be to ensure no crash-out and to prepare for a general election.’
The Labour leader added the prospect of a general election was ‘getting more likely every single day’.
‘This Government is collapsing, it’s now lost all seven votes since Boris Johnson became Prime Minister,’ he said.
‘This Tory government has been defeated over 45 times in Parliament.
The Labour leader told reporters on today: ‘Our priority, all of us, is to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union on the 31st’
Mr Corbyn stopped by a Greggs during his visit to North London for the campaigning event. Labour’s latest policy ideas, which include a four-day working week, could prove central to the seemingly inevitable General Election campaign
‘They don’t have a majority, they don’t have a programme, they don’t have the policies.’
But Scottish Nationalist MP Stewart Hosie, who today backed calls for a no confidence vote in Boris Johnson, said that while the Labour leader may have the first attempt at forming an interim administration the SNP would push him aside if a stronger candidate put themselves forward.
Asked what progress had been made on the plan, Mr Hosie said: ‘There are discussions ongoing, I think that is a great deal of support for this idea.
‘Clearly for this to work we need the Labour Party on board, I think it is only right and proper that Jeremy Corbyn the as leader of the largest opposition party should have the first opportunity to form an administration
‘But if another name appears in the frame, a Ken Clarke or Dominic grieve, that people can coalesce around then I personally and I think the SNP as well would have very little difficulty with that, given its sole purpose would be to get the extension to Article 50, make sure no deal was off the table, and then have an election.’