LONDON, Oct 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not face a confidence vote in the House of Commons this week, according to a meeting of opposition leaders to work out a way to prevent a no-deal Brexit.
Pressure eased on Johnson and his senior ministers after it emerged there would be no contentious issues raised in the House of Commons this week, with most Conservative politicians attending their annual party conference 338 km away from London in the northern city of Manchester.
“What is clear is that it is important this week we don’t go for a precipitous vote of no-confidence motion. If anything, that would just increase the risk of no deal, and therefore play into Boris Johnson’s hands,” said Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson.
Party managers had feared they would have to rush Johnson and Conservative MPs to Westminster if any crucial votes were called.
But opposition leaders insisted that a confidence vote was still an option later if it emerges Johnson will attempt to ignore a new law forcing him to ask Brussels for an extension of Britain’s membership of the EU if there is no deal in place.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hosted the meeting of opposition leaders, which included the Scottish Nationalist Party, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales), the Independent Group for Change and the Green Party.
After the meeting, Corbyn said a no-confidence vote remained an option, along with new measures to force Johnson to seek an extension of Britain’s membership of the EU into 2020.
“All of those options are absolutely in play and all of those options are under consideration. Our agreed position is to prevent a no-deal exit,” said Corbyn.
One of the stumbling blocks for the opposition is who would lead an alternative government if Johnson lost a confidence vote and was forced to quit 10 Downing Street.
Labour has insisted that as the official opposition, its leader Corbyn should head a caretaker government until a general election is held.
Swinson has insisted what she called a government of national unity should not be led by Corbyn. A list of veteran politicians has been suggested instead.
Meanwhile speakers at the Conservative Party Conference insisted that Oct 31 remains the Brexit date. — NNN-XINHUA
