5979

Sure, but the people willing to vote Corbyn in are not necessarily those who would be willing to vote him out. He could theoretically gain power, form a new coalition, and remain in power.

5980

If (insert name here) can really be trusted, why doesn’t he/she trust anyone else?

There’s a perfectly obvious path here, paved by history and precedent. He leads the largest faction. Again, if people would really rather see the world burn because they don’t like him, aren’t they the actual problem?

5981

Also, I can’t be the only one who has a crush on Jo Swinson can I?

5982

If Corbyn doesn’t trust another person to do a simple job but another person doesn’t trust Corbyn to do the same job, then they are both the problem.

Does Corbyn prefer to see the world burn or to ignore history and precedent?

Johnson leads the largest faction. So maybe Tory rebels think they should get to select Johnson’s replacement.

5983

Theoretically, but not even slightly plausibly, looking at the parliamentary maths involved. Anyone advancing this figleaf as a reason is likely to be hiding their real motive: their underlying political calculus in trying to damage another political leader ahead of an election.

5984

But apparently only one of them has a name; or at least a name some people can remember when blame time comes.

5985

And what is Corbyn’s motive in refusing to hold an election now?

5986

Making sure no deal is off the table, in the face of repeated assurances that the PM will not ask for an extension? That there are “about 20 ways” not to comply with the law?

5987

This is frankly asinine, I’m reasonably confident you understood that I meant the largest faction of the opposition.

5988

Sure. But normally, if a PM is kicked out then the replacement is chosen by the actual largest faction. See Cameron, May, etc.

5989

Both resigned, were not “kicked out”.

But anyway, I suspect you knew that. The FTPA gives a 14-day period after a VONC in which a hung parliament could form a majority. If the Tories were part of that majority, then sure, they should nominate the next PM. Otherwise, it’s obviously someone in the newly-formed majority government who should be PM.

5990

Ok, then Corbyn should definitely not be the caretaker PM because I was told a moment ago that it’s “not even slightly plausible” that Corbyn could form a majority coalition.

5991

You seem to have somehow misunderstood.

It is plausible for Labour to form a short-term government with an explicit purpose to extend A50 and call a general election. This is in the interests of a lot of parties. It is not even slightly plausible that, on forming such a government, on that promise, Jeremy Corbyn would be able to form another, different coalition to keep him in power for years. If you disagree, please feel free to sketch out what that coalition would look like given the current numbers.

5992

Presumably, this would require the support of the Tories. Probably not all of them, but at least some.

And I think I can understand why those Tories would insist on replacing Johnson with another Tory PM. Even if they are so crippled that they can’t accomplish this without help from Labor. They are the majority party after all.

5993

They currently number 288. For a majority you need 322, so plenty of scope for a short-term rainbow coalition. If you are including ex-Tories, you’re probably right, but even Ken Clarke would support Corbyn.

5994

It isn’t a misunderstanding. It’s deliberate.

5995

Clarke also said, “But I don’t think it’s going to happen, because I must be one of a tiny number of Tories prepared to contemplate that.” ;)

So here is the problem: if Corbyn can form a short-term majority without Tory support, then I suspect he could also form a long-term majority. Other than Tories, who would support Corbyn in the short-term yet absolutely refuse to join his cabinet for a few months, or maybe a little bit longer? I think Tories calculate that the lure of power would be too strong and therefore are trying to avoid this outcome.

On the other hand if any short-term majority requires Tory support, and the Tories know this, then it makes sense for them to insist that they choose the caretaker PM. Well, at least as much sense as anything else the Tories do.

5996

Well Johnson has been keen to reduce the number of Tories so it’s less important that it was before.

You just need to find somebody that they could support. The simplest answer would be to see if Corbyn has the numbers. I’d guess he wouldn’t as they would not like to give him the opportunity to look prime ministerial.

After that it’s just down to finding somebody who they could get the numbers. Preferably somebody who wouldn’t have a significant role in the election. Harriet Harman springs to mind from the Labour benches as being a sensible head or more deliciously the father of the house, one K. Clarke esq, no longer a Tory. I’m sure they would love that.

I’m sure he’d be happy for a quick bit of Revocation.

5997

Well they just earned my vote.

5999

If I lived in Britain she’d have mine as well.