29 September 2019 at 1:54pm
Margaret Beckett emerging as favourite to be caretaker prime minister, writes Robert Peston
Robert Peston Peston's Politics
Margaret Beckett was former Labour deputy leader and ex-foreign secretary before returning to the backbenches. Credit: PA
Dame Margaret Beckett - the former Labour deputy leader and ex-foreign secretary - is emerging as the most likely compromise candidate to be caretaker prime minister, according to sources involved in opposition talks about ousting Boris Johnson.
As I mentioned last week, the Scottish National Party would be prepared to accept Jeremy Corbyn as temporary PM, with the express purpose of securing a three month Brexit delay and holding a general election.
But it has become clear in talks between the opposition parties that the Lib Dems and expelled or self-exiled Tory MPs won't agree to install Corbyn as PM.
"We cannot win a vote of no confidence if Corbyn is the candidate," said a senior opposition MP.
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"And there is no point having the vote if we are not guaranteed to win."
So there are exploratory talks to find a more unifying candidate, and Beckett has emerged as the front runner - because she is not seen by Corbyn and his close colleagues as a threat to his leadership.
That said, as I understand it Corbyn is yet to endorse the Beckett plan.
There is a growing concern among opposition MPs that if they fail to oust Johnson within days, he may outmanoeuvre them and secure the no-deal Brexit on 31 October they are desperate to prevent.
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