Jeremy Corbyn has released a plan to stop a no-deal Brexit. It’s a simple proposal. Following MPs backing a vote of no-confidence in Boris Johnson’s administration, Labour forms a temporary government. This government will exist to block a no-deal Brexit and would then call a general election and back a second referendum.
So, you’d have thought this would be the makings of a sensible plan for the centrist Remainers. Apparently not. Not only did they dismiss the plans, but some of the responses have been just hilarious. And the most side-tickling response came from former Labour/independent/Change UK MP, and current Lib Dem, Chuka Umunna.
Zero self-awareness
Speaking on The World Tonight, Umunna said that there had to be “flexibility and compromise” to sort out the mess we’re currently in. He then had the following message for Corbyn:
“Put your ego, [and] your personal political interest to one side, and put the cause first.
It’s not quite clear exactly what cause Umunna wants to be put first, given Corbyn’s plan provides a path out of the current no-deal Brexit mess. But it’s certainly not the cause of austerity and hardship that’s plagued the country for years, given his allegiance to Jo Swinson who voted for most of it.
What was that about ego?
For someone who thinks ego needs to be set aside, Umunna has been lapping up the media attention. Following The World Tonight, he also appeared on Newsnight. There he had the following to say on Corbyn’s plan:
Emma: “yes, no or maybe from the Lib Dems?”
“no because he cannot command the confidence of his own MPs never mind a majority in the House of Commons.”
@ChukkaUmunna says @LibDems won't back a Labour vote of no confidence in @BorisJohnson and a Corbyn-led caretaker government pic.twitter.com/kyBwb8PEzp
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) August 14, 2019
The irony of anyone from the Lib Dems making such a statement appears lost on Umunna. The party only has 14 MPs. And that’s including Umunna who joined the party in June and Sarah Wollaston who joined the party on 14 August.
It’s both hilarious and really scary
Umunna’s comments are hilarious. But they’re also really scary. We are living with an unelected right-wing government for the rich that is prepared to push a no-deal Brexit through at any cost. Meanwhile, our public services have been decimated, and the impact of austerity is ravaging communities throughout the UK.
If only Umunna had the decency to take his own advice and show some of that “flexibility and compromise” he waxed lyrical about. Then maybe we’d have a chance of sorting out the mess this country is currently in.
Featured image via Twitter/Newsnight and Wikimedia/Rwendland
