Jo Swinson says she is working with other parties to “stop this power grab”

The Liberal Democrats could stand aside in key seats to help the re-election of Conservative MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit.

Senior party insiders have been discreetly drawing up a list of constituencies where support from Lib Dem voters could be critical.

Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, wants to maximise the number of MPs opposed to no-deal who would be returned to the Commons in a snap election before October 31.

Tory MPs who vote in favour of blocking no-deal face being deselected by their party as Boris Johnson steps up pressure to persuade Brussels to offer him a better Brexit deal. Some prominent rebels, including Rory Stewart, who stood against Boris Johnson in the party leadership election, are considering standing as