THE Liberal Democrats are divided after Chuka Umunna defied Jo Swinson by claiming his party might do a deal with Labor.
news comes after Ms Swinson, theLib Dem leader, “absolutely categorically” ruled out making an alliance with theLabor Partythat would lead to Jeremy Corbyn entering Downing Street. However,Mr Umunnaexplained that he would only do a deal with the Labor Party if the outfit had a different leader.
Confusion ensued when the ex-Labor man said he would open the door to the Labor Party in order bridge a path to alliance.
This admission came during the Lib Dems’ election campaign launch yesterday.
But, he soon explained that there would be no coalition with other parties as “currently configured”.
Despite his reassurance that he did not believe the Labor leader was fit to do a deal with, Lib Dem officials were quick off the mark to shout-down his speech.
The party was briefly at war after Chuka Umunna undermined Jo Swinson(Image: GETTY)
He said the Lib Dems would make a deal with Labor if it had a different leader(Image: GETTY)
Ms Swinson’s spokesperson responded to Mr Umunna’scomments, saying the Lib Dems would not work with Labor or the Tories, no matter who led them.
Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn, when asked if he would rule out Lib Dem policy of revoking Article 50 as a price of making a coalition, he said: “We are campaigning to win this election with a majority Labor government.
“We are not campaigning to form a coalition with anyone.”
Ms Swinson made an attempt at damning rhetoric against the Labor leader, and said: “On the biggest issue of the day, he has prevaricated and will not give a straight answer.
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The party launch marked the beginning of their election campaign(Image: GETTY)
“Even now if you ask him whether he isRemain or Leavehe will not tell you how he would vote.
“His plans for the economy would take us back to the 1970 s.
“I believe he would be a threat to our national security. ”
When asked how she would bring the country together considering she plans to scrap the 2016 referendum vote, she said: “We are standing up for what we believe in, and being very honest and straightforward about t hat. ”
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Mr Umunna was previously a member of the Labor Party(Image: GETTY)
He disagreed with Corbyn’s left leaning stance, preferring the medium stance and reversal of the B(Image: GETTY)
The leader also claimed the party only needs a small shift in numbers in order to get ahead in hundreds of seats.
But, the party was yesterday accused of using misleading data to suggest it is ahead in certain areas.
The Guardian revealedthat the Lib Dems had used information from a company called Flavible, which has come under fire for using national poll data to project local results.
Ms Swinson today vowed that stopping Brexit would ‘build a brighter future’ for Britain.
According to our polls, Boris Johnson is the most popular Brexit leader(Image : Express Newspapers)
Yesterday, the leader launched her party’s Rem ain election campaign pledge, having a dig at Boris Johnson and Mr Corbyn, painting them both as Brexiteers.
Attempting to leave the topic of Brexit but not exactly avoid it, she praised immigration, something Mr Johnson has promised to overhaul should his Government win a majority.
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to put a £ 50 billion ‘Remain bonus’ into public services if they win the General Election.
At the launch event in central London this morning she said: “Any type of Brexit will damage our economy, will cost jobs and starve our public services of the resources that they need.
Jo Swinson has sad she categorically rejects a pact with Labor(Image: GETTY)
“So we know that that Remain bonus will be £ 50 billion that we can spend on our public services, investing in our schools and in the welfare system to help the poorest in our society.
“So every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to stop Brexit and invest that £ 50 billion in our public services. ”
She also said she was “absolutely categorically ruling out” allowing the Lib Dems make a deal wth Labor that would put Mr Corybn in Downing Street, her reason, she explained: “On so many grounds, Jeremy Corbyn is not fit for the job of P rime Minister. ”
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