Tory rebel Oliver Letwin backs down and says he WON’T help Jeremy Corbyn get into No10 after backlash over Remainer plots to stop Brexit
OLIVER Letwin has become the second Tory rebel to back down and say he won’t help install Jeremy Corbyn in No 10 following a backlash over the Remainer plot to stop Brexit.
Sir Oliver, 63, said he would not support the bid to help the Labour leader into Downing Street because he did not think a majority could be formed to back the idea.
The Conservative MP for West Dorset, who served in David Cameron’s Cabinet, added it was “well worth” having discussions between parties to prevent the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
When asked he if would help make Jeremy Corbyn Prime Minister, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “That appears to be his agenda, I have to say it is not one I personally share.
“I don't think it's at all likely that a majority would be formed for that and I personally wouldn't want to vote for it. I wouldn't be able to support that, no.”
But Sir Oliver did not rule out backing a no confidence motion in Boris Johnson’s administration to prevent a no-deal but added he would not back such a move if it meant Mr Corbyn became Prime Minister.
He said: “I'm not very inclined to do that if it could possibly be avoided - it's not something I would do under any circumstances in normal life and I'd much prefer to find some other means of getting to a substantive result.”
Mr Corbyn had written to a number of senior Tories asking them for their support as a caretaker PM if he managed to topple Mr Johnson.
Caroline Spelman, one of the other Tories who was targeted by the Labour leader, made it clear she would not vote against Mr Johnson in a vote of no confidence.
Sir Oliver’s comments come after another rebel Tory MP Dominic Grieve backed down in giving help to the opposition.
He wrote in a letter seen by the New Statesman which said he was “not about to facilitate Jeremy Corbyn’s arrival in Downing Street”.
Former justice secretary David Gauke, another likely Remainer rebel, added: “If anyone thinks the answer is Jeremy Corbyn, I think they’re probably asking the wrong question.”
Rebels' letter to Jeremy Corbyn
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you for your letter.
We agree that our common priority should be to work together in Parliament to prevent No Deal Brexit and welcome your invitation to discuss the different ways that this might be achieved.
We would be happy to meet with you as well as colleagues from other opposition parties whenever convenient in the weeks before Parliament returns.
Yours sincerely
Nick Boles
Dominic Grieve
Oliver Letwin
Caroline Spelman
Philip Hammond, the former Chancellor, also faced a backlash from the party after he launched an attack on Mr Johnson.
He said leaving with No Deal would be a “betrayal” of the people and he was “very confident” that MPs would be able to team up and stop it in the weeks ahead.
Tories hit back and accused him of undermining Britain’s negotiating position, and for making it even more likely the EU would give us nothing.
And one Tory, Guto Bebb, said that “a short term Jeremy Corbyn government is less damaging… than a No Deal Brexit.”
A source at Sir Oliver’s West Dorset Conservative Association said: “We are completely at odds with our MP over this.”
In Mr Grieve’s constituency, association chairman Jackson Ng said he’d been inundated with irate calls from members – and said his behaviour was “un-Conservative”.
“Should he entertain the idea of siding with Jeremy Corbyn or any other Government other than the existing Conservative Government currently being led by Boris Johnson, he will leave us no choice at all as an Association,” he warned.
Tory MP Steve Double added earlier: “Does anyone actually think once Jeremy Corbyn was in No10 he will be easy to remove? He would have all the machinery of government behind him & would fight an election as PM. Remember no one thought he would win the Labour leadership. This is a dangerous game some are playing.”
And Assembly Member Gareth Bacon added: “Unbelievable. Any Conservative MP that signs up to putting Jeremy Corbyn in No.10 should instantly have the whip removed, be de-selected by their Association and be expelled from the Conservative Party.”
Iain Duncan Smith told The Sun it was “contemptuous” for Tories to be even talking to Mr Corbyn.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
And Michael Fabricant said they should be thrown out of the party.
Tory Ken Clarke last night declared he wants to be caretaker PM, despite admitting he doesn’t know “what the devil’s going on”.
The pro-EU former Chancellor revealed he is ready to mount a coup with Remainer rebels and opposition MPs to try to oust Boris Johnson if it’s “the only way” to halt a No Deal Brexit.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.