Thread by @uk_domain_names

Jo Swinson is making a speech in which she just said she wants to find a way to extend Article 50 so that a referendum can be held.

Sounds so much more sensible than Jeremy Corbyn's "make me PM, and I'll give you a GE, and then... what?" proposal.

Jo Swinson says that a VONC has to be triggered by JC, because nobody else can do so.

"Now, instead of doing everything in his power to stop us from crashing out, he is demanding the keys to Number 10 as a precondition for a vote of no confidence."

"There is no way he can unite rebel Conservatives and independents to stop Boris Johnson." (That's been my point all along too.)

"This isn't about personalities. It's about having a plan that *actually works*."

"What we need in an emergency Government is a long serving member of Parliament who is respected on *both sides* of the House. Someone like Ken Clarke, or Harriet Harman, the Father and Mother of the House."

"They are hugely experienced and, unlike Jeremy Corbyn or indeed myself, they are not seeking to lead a Government in the long term." Another good point, if you give what she's saying a fair hearing.

"This is a time for grownup politics. This is a time for real leadership. So when Parliament returns in September, I call on all MPs who want to stop a no deal Brexit to put our ambitions aside, work together and actually. stop. it."

"Let's stop Brexit, and build a better future!" 👏 👏 👏

BBC anchor, immediately after JS finished speaking: "Jo Swinson there, outlining, as you would expect, the dangers she sees to the UK of a no deal Brexit."

"as you would expect"?
"she sees"?

Thanks for sabotaging her message.

Coming back to the speech, this is what some people just don't get: Jo Swinson didn't meet Tom Watson to overthrow Jeremy Corbyn and make TW the leader of a GNU. She is trying to drum up Labour support for someone above the cut and thrust of politics to take that role.

Jeremy Corbyn will never countenance getting skipped over when he sees it's his turn next.

But the votes aren't there in Parliament to back him. And they never will be. Not because of the LibDems, but moderate Tories and others.

They could back a trusted figurehead, but not JC.

Jo Swinson knows that, so in the super limited time left she's trying to jump ahead by finding another route to corralling Labour support for a unifying figure. Hence her reach out to TW. No grand conspiracy, just pragmatism in the face of approaching danger.

(Hint: not liking reality won't change reality. But adapting to it might change the future.)