Opposition MPs agree strategy to block no-deal Brexit

A coalition of MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit has agreed to focus on using legislation to force Boris Johnson to delay the Brexit process beyond October, according to reports.

In a significant shift of position, Jeremy Corbyn has agreed to shelve a vote of no confidence in Johnson in favour of the legislative path.

In a joint statement following the meeting, the MPs opposed to no deal kept their cards close to their chests, preferring not to outline how or when their parliamentary efforts would begin.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

They did, however, say that using a vote of no confidence to bring down the government remained an option on the table. According to Reuters, this means “the United Kingdom is heading towards a constitutional crisis”.

The BBC says one legal path could see MPs bid to take control of the parliamentary timetable to push the Brexit process back again. Legislation could be introduced to force the Government to seek another extension of talks with the EU under Article 50.

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said it was time to “put aside fantasy politics” and find a strategy to enact “straight away” when Parliament returns.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, said that the meeting in Corbyn’s office was “very positive”.

Swinson, who had previously clashed with the Labour leader, said: “What is clear is there is a real sense of urgency. We don’t have time to lose. We are very much looking to act as soon as possible.”

Earlier, writing in The Independent, Corbyn had declared that Labour was ready to consider all options to “stop the no-deal Brexit disaster in its tracks”.

Green MP Caroline Lucas said “the legislative way forward” was “the most secure way to extend Article 50, to get rid of that 31 October deadline" and prevent Johnson from “careering towards” a hard Brexit.

The SNP's Ian Blackford said the meeting had been “positive and productive” and Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price said his party was “committed to work co-operatively with every other opposition party”.

However, the newfound unity was given predictably short shrift by Downing Street. A No 10 source said: “It's utterly perverse that Corbyn and his allies are actively seeking to sabotage the UK's position.

“This coalition of anti-democrats should be honest with the British public, they are against us leaving the EU no matter what.”

Johnson has pledged to ensure Brexit happens “do or die” on 31 October. Parliament will return from its summer recess next Tuesday.