Veteran British politician Ken Clarke doesn’t rule out becoming prime minister
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Conservative MP Ken Clarke has said he would not reject an offer to become caretaker prime minister if it was “the only way” to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has suggested the ex-chancellor or former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman could head a temporary government.
Clarke told the BBC the idea was “not inconceivable”.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the EU by 31 October “do or die”.
He has said he wants to strike a deal with Brussels, but if this is not possible, Brexit will go ahead as planned.
The suggestion that either Clarke or Harman, the House of Commons’ longest-serving man and woman, could lead an anti-Brexit government was the latest sign that foes of an abrupt exit from the EU are joining forces to unseat Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Clarke is the longest-serving member of parliament and held senior cabinet positions under Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron.
Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman
Harman is parliament’s longest-serving woman and was briefly Labour’s acting leader before Corbyn took charge.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he plans to win a no-confidence vote in the government, become an interim prime minister, delay Brexit, call a snap election and campaign for another referendum.
However, some MPs have said Corbyn does not have enough support in Parliament to enter Downing Street.
