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Boris Johnson no-confidence vote 'next week', says SNP MP Stewart Hosie | Boris Johnson no-confidence vote 'next week', says SNP MP Stewart Hosie |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A vote of no confidence in the government aimed at replacing Boris Johnson as prime minister could be held next week, a senior SNP MP has said. | A vote of no confidence in the government aimed at replacing Boris Johnson as prime minister could be held next week, a senior SNP MP has said. |
Stewart Hosie told the BBC such a move may be the only way of avoiding a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. | Stewart Hosie told the BBC such a move may be the only way of avoiding a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. |
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon hinted on Friday she might back Jeremy Corbyn becoming a "caretaker" prime minister. | SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon hinted on Friday she might back Jeremy Corbyn becoming a "caretaker" prime minister. |
The Liberal Democrats have, however, said Mr Corbyn is too divisive a figure to play such a role. | The Liberal Democrats have, however, said Mr Corbyn is too divisive a figure to play such a role. |
Mr Hosie said opposition parties were in discussions about the timing of a no-confidence vote amid concern that Mr Johnson may find a way of circumventing the so-called "Benn Bill" which requires him to seek an extension to the UK's departure date if no deal has been agreed. | Mr Hosie said opposition parties were in discussions about the timing of a no-confidence vote amid concern that Mr Johnson may find a way of circumventing the so-called "Benn Bill" which requires him to seek an extension to the UK's departure date if no deal has been agreed. |
The aim would be to install an interim prime minister who would secure a short Brexit delay and then call a general election. | The aim would be to install an interim prime minister who would secure a short Brexit delay and then call a general election. |
"We have to do that because there is now no confidence that the prime minister will obey the law and seek the extension that Parliament voted for only a few weeks ago," he told the Today programme. | "We have to do that because there is now no confidence that the prime minister will obey the law and seek the extension that Parliament voted for only a few weeks ago," he told the Today programme. |
"It we are serious about the extension that is the only game in town." | "It we are serious about the extension that is the only game in town." |
In a separate interview on BBC Radio Scotland, he suggested a vote could take place as early as Monday or Tuesday. | In a separate interview on BBC Radio Scotland, he suggested a vote could take place as early as Monday or Tuesday. |
Mr Hosie, a former SNP deputy leader, acknowledged that such a plan would need the agreement of opposition parties and Tory rebels in order to succeed. | Mr Hosie, a former SNP deputy leader, acknowledged that such a plan would need the agreement of opposition parties and Tory rebels in order to succeed. |
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has said an "emergency government" may be necessary but argued that MPs from all parties would not be able to unite around Mr Corbyn as a temporary leader. | Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has said an "emergency government" may be necessary but argued that MPs from all parties would not be able to unite around Mr Corbyn as a temporary leader. |
She said her party had suggested other MPs as possibilities, including senior MPs who are planning to step down at the next election. | She said her party had suggested other MPs as possibilities, including senior MPs who are planning to step down at the next election. |
Mr Hosie said: "If another name came forward that was acceptable to everybody, a Ken Clarke or Dominic Grieve-type figure, then self-evidently that would be a good thing to do." he said. | Mr Hosie said: "If another name came forward that was acceptable to everybody, a Ken Clarke or Dominic Grieve-type figure, then self-evidently that would be a good thing to do." he said. |
"But it is also self-evidently the case that the second largest party (Labour) should have the first chance to form that administration. | "But it is also self-evidently the case that the second largest party (Labour) should have the first chance to form that administration. |
"If Jo Swinson and the Lib Dems are actually serious about their stopping Brexit position then they need to stop playing political games, get on board with everybody else." | "If Jo Swinson and the Lib Dems are actually serious about their stopping Brexit position then they need to stop playing political games, get on board with everybody else." |
Pre-agreed plan | Pre-agreed plan |
A motion of no confidence in Parliament allows MPs to hold a vote on whether they want the government to continue. | A motion of no confidence in Parliament allows MPs to hold a vote on whether they want the government to continue. |
If the government loses the vote, MPs have 14 days to express their support for an alternative government. | If the government loses the vote, MPs have 14 days to express their support for an alternative government. |
If an alternative government cannot command a majority in the House of Commons in that time, a general election could be held. | If an alternative government cannot command a majority in the House of Commons in that time, a general election could be held. |
Mr Hosie stressed it was vital that opposition parties had a plan in place to secure a Brexit extension before triggering a no-confidence vote. | Mr Hosie stressed it was vital that opposition parties had a plan in place to secure a Brexit extension before triggering a no-confidence vote. |
"If that is not in place and effectively pre-agreed, then we might end up having the general election on Boris Johnson's terms and allowing him to run down the clock and crash out without a deal." | "If that is not in place and effectively pre-agreed, then we might end up having the general election on Boris Johnson's terms and allowing him to run down the clock and crash out without a deal." |
Jeremy Corbyn said he had a "productive meeting" with other opposition parties on Thursday but maintained that their current priority was preventing a no-deal Brexit, rather than a general election. | |
The Labour leader said: "Our priority, all of us, is to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union on the 31st. | |
"And to make the government carry out the EU number two act which requires them, in the event of a no-deal, to apply for an extension before the 31st of October so that we can continue our normal trading arrangements and then have a serious discussion about the future. | |
"At that point, we're ready for an election. | |
"But the priority is to prevent a no-deal exit, with all the problems this could cause the people of this country." |