LONDON - (Bywire News) As talks between opposition parties continue, John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor has intervened. Expressing his view that Jeremy Corbyn will never step aside to allow an alternative figure in the Commons to lead a government of national unity, saying “the rules are the rules.”

Over the past few weeks, meetings have taken place to undertake plans to prevent a no-deal Brexit. So far, no conclusive actions have been found, but the leaders of the opposition parties have agreed that they will not rule out a no confidence vote in the event that the Prime Minister tries to force through no-deal Brexit.

If the Prime Minister loses such a vote, some MPs have supported the idea that a new government could be formed with the purpose of seeking an extension to Article 50, and to possibly hold another EU referendum prior to any general election.

The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Tom Watson, has led voices calling for a second referendum, but Jeremy Corbyn has rejected that idea.

One of the main barriers to this approach is that the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, has ruled out supporting a national unity government led by Jeremy Corbyn. She has suggested several other figures in the Commons, including Harriet Harman, Kenneth Clarke or Margaret Beckett.

Labour has rejected this proposal and have stated that, as the main opposition party, it would clearly fall to Labour to have the first opportunity to seek to form a new government. As Jeremy Corbyn is the Leader of the Opposition, the duty to seek to from a government would fall to him.

A Labour insider said, “people who want a government of national unity are playing fantasy football teams. It’s absolute, complete nonsense. Not only would no such thing ever be agreed, but the idea that such a government could exist for six months with no mandate is pure, utter nonsense.”

The Shadow Chancellor suggested the Liberal Democrats could change their mind saying, “I’m a great believer in the power of conversation.” Labour has stated its aim of seeking to secure a general election as soon as a no-deal Brexit has been prevented. Many Labour MPs support the holding of a referendum prior to an election.

A Liberal spokesperson said, “Jo is a great believer in the power of mathematics. Jeremy Corbyn does not have the numbers and needs to make clear who he would support if we need an emergency government.”

Key in any future national unity government would be the support of the Conservative MPs expelled from the Parliamentary party. Collaboration between them and other opposition parties was successful in bringing forward the ‘Benn Bill’, forcing the Prime Minister to seek an extension if by the 19th October there is no deal agreed between the UK and the EU.

Ian Blackford, the leader of the SNP in Westminster has suggested the SNP could support a national unity government led by Jeremy Corbyn, which is in line with the British constitutional convention.

(Written by Brendan Chilton, edited by Michael O’Sullivan)

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