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Jeremy Corbyn: General election will stop Brexit 'crisis' | Jeremy Corbyn: General election will stop Brexit 'crisis' |
(32 minutes later) | |
The Tory party has "failed" the UK and a general election is the "change of direction the country needs", Jeremy Corbyn has said. | The Tory party has "failed" the UK and a general election is the "change of direction the country needs", Jeremy Corbyn has said. |
The Labour leader said the UK is facing a Brexit "crisis" and vowed to do "everything necessary" to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal. | |
It comes after a leaked government report warned of food and medicine shortages in a no-deal exit. | It comes after a leaked government report warned of food and medicine shortages in a no-deal exit. |
Cabinet minister Michael Gove said it outlined a "worst-case scenario". | Cabinet minister Michael Gove said it outlined a "worst-case scenario". |
Speaking in Northamptonshire, Mr Corbyn said he supported recalling Parliament before MPs are due to return in two weeks' time so Brexit could be discussed. | |
He said this would prevent Prime Minister Boris Johnson "having some kind of manoeuvre to take us out on October 31 without any further discussion in Parliament". | |
Parliament could be reconvened if the government put a request in to the Speaker John Bercow. | |
Earlier, shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC that Mr Corbyn will meet other British political leaders next week to discuss tactics to prevent a no-deal Brexit. | |
Mr Gove, who is responsible for no-deal preparation, said the leaked cross-government study, codenamed Operation Yellowhammer, was old and that Brexit planning had accelerated since Boris Johnson became prime minister. | Mr Gove, who is responsible for no-deal preparation, said the leaked cross-government study, codenamed Operation Yellowhammer, was old and that Brexit planning had accelerated since Boris Johnson became prime minister. |
A Downing Street source said the no-deal impact study leaked to the Sunday Times was presented at the first daily no-deal preparation meeting under Mr Johnson's government in July - but it was prepared by the previous administration. | A Downing Street source said the no-deal impact study leaked to the Sunday Times was presented at the first daily no-deal preparation meeting under Mr Johnson's government in July - but it was prepared by the previous administration. |
A government source also told the BBC the no-deal study had been leaked by a disgruntled ex-minister in an attempt to influence discussions with EU leaders. | A government source also told the BBC the no-deal study had been leaked by a disgruntled ex-minister in an attempt to influence discussions with EU leaders. |
But Lord Kerslake, a former head of the civil service, said the dossier "lays bare the scale of the risks we are facing". | But Lord Kerslake, a former head of the civil service, said the dossier "lays bare the scale of the risks we are facing". |
How could a general election be called? | How could a general election be called? |
Mr Johnson - whose government has a working majority in Parliament of one - has ruled out holding a general election before the 31 October Brexit deadline. | |
But Mr Corbyn plans to win a vote of no-confidence in the government, which would begin a crucial 14-day period, after which a general election could automatically be triggered. | But Mr Corbyn plans to win a vote of no-confidence in the government, which would begin a crucial 14-day period, after which a general election could automatically be triggered. |
To stop that automatic election taking place, the existing government, or an alternative one formed during that period, must persuade MPs to pass a vote of confidence. | To stop that automatic election taking place, the existing government, or an alternative one formed during that period, must persuade MPs to pass a vote of confidence. |
Within the two weeks, Mr Corbyn wants to become a temporary PM, then delay Brexit and call a snap election. | Within the two weeks, Mr Corbyn wants to become a temporary PM, then delay Brexit and call a snap election. |
There are no firm rules about who, if anyone, should get the chance to form an alternative government during the 14-day period. | There are no firm rules about who, if anyone, should get the chance to form an alternative government during the 14-day period. |
Speaking after his speech, Mr Corbyn said the "constitutional precedent" was for the leader of the opposition to "take over" if a government collapses. | |
However Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has suggested Mr Corbyn would fail to get MPs' support, and she would not support him becoming caretaker PM. | |
Reacting to Mr Corbyn's speech, the party's Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said Mr Corbyn should not be "prescriptive" when it comes to stopping a no-deal exit. | |
"It is clear Jeremy Corbyn cannot command a majority in the House. | |
"He must do the right thing and confirm that if he cannot, he will support someone who can," he said. | |
If Mr Johnson survives a vote of no-confidence, a general election appears unlikely before the UK leaves the EU. | If Mr Johnson survives a vote of no-confidence, a general election appears unlikely before the UK leaves the EU. |
What did Mr Corbyn say in his speech? | |
Mr Corbyn said the Tories have "lurched to the hard right under Boris Johnson", calling him "Britain's Trump". | Mr Corbyn said the Tories have "lurched to the hard right under Boris Johnson", calling him "Britain's Trump". |
"A general election triggered by the Tory Brexit crisis will be a crossroads for our country. It will be a once-in-a-generation chance for a real change of direction, potentially on the scale of 1945," he said. | "A general election triggered by the Tory Brexit crisis will be a crossroads for our country. It will be a once-in-a-generation chance for a real change of direction, potentially on the scale of 1945," he said. |
"And if there is a general election this autumn, Labour would commit to holding a public vote, to give voters the final say, with credible options for both sides, including the option to remain." | "And if there is a general election this autumn, Labour would commit to holding a public vote, to give voters the final say, with credible options for both sides, including the option to remain." |
What is the Conservatives' response? | What is the Conservatives' response? |
Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly said Mr Corbyn offers more "dither and delay". | Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly said Mr Corbyn offers more "dither and delay". |
"This is a cynical attempt to seize power by a man who would wreck the economy, is soft on crime and won't stand up for Britain," he said. | "This is a cynical attempt to seize power by a man who would wreck the economy, is soft on crime and won't stand up for Britain," he said. |
"Only Boris Johnson and the Conservatives can provide the leadership Britain needs and deliver Brexit by 31 October, whatever happens." | "Only Boris Johnson and the Conservatives can provide the leadership Britain needs and deliver Brexit by 31 October, whatever happens." |
Mr Johnson is travelling to France and Germany to meet EU leaders later this week. | Mr Johnson is travelling to France and Germany to meet EU leaders later this week. |
The prime minister will insist there must be a new Brexit deal when he holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. | The prime minister will insist there must be a new Brexit deal when he holds talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. |
What did the leaked no-deal document say? | What did the leaked no-deal document say? |
The leaked dossier said leaving the EU without a deal could lead to: | The leaked dossier said leaving the EU without a deal could lead to: |
An interesting conundrum | An interesting conundrum |
Analysis by political correspondent Jonathan Blake | Analysis by political correspondent Jonathan Blake |
The fall-out from the Operation Yellowhammer leak presents an interesting conundrum for the government. | The fall-out from the Operation Yellowhammer leak presents an interesting conundrum for the government. |
On the one hand it seems keen to distance itself from any suggestion that the worst-case scenarios presented are likely. | On the one hand it seems keen to distance itself from any suggestion that the worst-case scenarios presented are likely. |
On the other it needs to be seen to be open about the possible impact of a no-deal Brexit, given the prime minister's insistence that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October come what may. | On the other it needs to be seen to be open about the possible impact of a no-deal Brexit, given the prime minister's insistence that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October come what may. |
And while Mr Gove described the leaked dossier as an "old document", a government source confirmed it was presented at a ministerial planning meeting just three weeks ago. | And while Mr Gove described the leaked dossier as an "old document", a government source confirmed it was presented at a ministerial planning meeting just three weeks ago. |
What matters is whether the possible food shortages, disorder and travel disruption the leaked documents reveal are still considered possible worst-case scenarios. | What matters is whether the possible food shortages, disorder and travel disruption the leaked documents reveal are still considered possible worst-case scenarios. |
And then, how far the "significant steps" taken by the government have mitigated the risk of each of those outcomes. | And then, how far the "significant steps" taken by the government have mitigated the risk of each of those outcomes. |
That may become clear in the coming weeks when the government begins a public information campaign telling people how to prepare for life outside the EU. | That may become clear in the coming weeks when the government begins a public information campaign telling people how to prepare for life outside the EU. |