Determination to bypass Corbyn incompatible with supposed determination to stop no-deal Brexit

As the SKWAWKBOX has been warning for many months, laughably-termed ‘moderates’ have been planning to prevent a Corbyn-led Labour government by means of a so-called ‘government of national unity’ (GNU).

Those plans are now taking shape around an attempt to bypass the UK’s democracy when Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess – by ignoring proper process after the no-confidence vote that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is expected to table before the Brexit deadline at the end of October.

Tom Watson: “I prefer Labour governments but…”

The latest incarnation of this ‘centrist’ plan is to ignore Corbyn’s inconvenient position as the democratically-elected leader of the Opposition and to install a ‘unity’ PM from the back benches if a Labour no-confidence motion succeeds:

The ‘i’ article’s claim that a GNU was floated by Ed Davey is, of course, incorrect – the idea has been pushed since at least last autumn.

The move is currently being talked up by the Establishment media to bolster its credibility and test public reaction – but as usual, the plotters can’t help but give away their real motivations.

The pretext for the attempted coup is that it’s the ‘only’ way to stop a no-deal Brexit – and that it can only gain enough support if a ‘unity’ figure is chosen as PM instead of Corbyn.

But the underlying reality – and fundamental dishonesty – of this ‘moderate’ posturing was perfectly captured by London academic John Rees, who pointed out the obvious flaw in the claimed motivation for the plan and its unmistakable significance:

If stopping a no-deal Brexit was the point, then those hoping to do so would not care which anti-no-deal leader became Prime Minister, as long as it achieved that end – and Corbyn, ever since the referendum result, has been firmly opposed to a no-deal Brexit and has acted many times to block one.

Some of the times Corbyn’s Labour has tried to block a no-deal Brexit

But if this ‘plan’ ‘depends’ on installing a different PM than Corbyn, then the reality is that it is nothing but the latest cover for the Establishment’s ‘anyone but Corbyn’ obsession. And those promoting it are clearly not fussy who it is, as long as it isn’t Labour’s democratically-elected leader:

‘Centrist’ peer Adonis on ‘unity’ PM – 2 Tories and a Blairite – surprisingly he left out Tony Blair himself

Even John Major gets a mention – in spite of the obvious fact that a by-election could never be organised and completed in time to install him as ‘unity’ PM before the UK falls out of the EU.

Anyone, anything, anyhow, no matter how desperate or nonsensical. As it has always been, this is about stopping Corbyn at all costs.

Any Labour MP or figure who promotes this dishonest nonsense is either playing into the hands of the ‘never-ending coup’ – or actively supporting it.

With trigger ballots approaching rapidly, Labour members who want to remove MPs who impede the cause should be taking careful notes.

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