Britain's opposition Labour Party has urged rebel MPs in the ruling Conservatives to help block a no-deal Brexit by bringing down Prime Minister Boris Johnson's administration and allowing its leader Jeremy Corbyn to form a caretaker government.
Mr Johnson has promised to take Britain out of the European Union by October 31, with or without a deal, setting the scene for a showdown in parliament where lawmakers are opposed to a divorce without a transition agreement.
Jeremy Corbyn’s opposition Labour Party has urged rebel Conservatives to help block a no-deal Brexit by bringing down Prime Minister Boris Johnson's. Source: AAP
In a letter to opposition party leaders and several senior Conservatives opposed to a disorderly exit, Mr Corbyn said his "strictly time-limited temporary government" would delay Brexit and hold a general election.
He said Labour would campaign in the election to hold a second referendum on the Brexit terms, including an option as to whether the country should remain in the bloc three years after it voted to leave.
"This government has no mandate for No Deal, and the 2016 EU referendum provided no mandate for No Deal," Mr Corbyn said.
"I therefore intend to table a vote of no confidence at the earliest opportunity when we can be confident of success."
A spokeswoman for Mr Johnson's Downing Street office said the choice was clear: "This government believes the people are the masters and votes should be respected, Jeremy Corbyn believes that the people are the servants and politicians can cancel public votes they don't like."
"This government believes the people are the masters and votes should be respected". Source: Getty Images Europe
MPs return from their summer break on September 3, reconvening for a battle over Brexit that will determine the fortunes of the world's fifth-largest economy.
Mr Johnson, who led the 2016 campaign to leave the EU, has staked his premiership on getting Britain out by October 31, prompting politicians from all sides to try to stop him.
Were Mr Johnson's government to lose a no-confidence vote, lawmakers would have a 14-day period to try to form a new administration; otherwise a general election would be called, which could be held after the October 31 exit date.
Jeremy Corbyn last week. Source: AAP
Mr Corbyn said he hoped his proposal to lead a caretaker government could "halt the serious threat of No Deal, end the uncertainty and disarray, and allow the public to decide the best way ahead for our country."
But Mr Corbyn, a veteran socialist, is a highly divisive figure in parliament and could struggle to form a majority of his own.
With AAP...
