The leader of the British pro-European Liberal Democrats keeps open the possibility that the LibDems could form a coalition government with the Labour Party to prevent the UK from leaving the EU, provided that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is not prime minister of such a coalition cabinet.
LibDem leader Jo Swinson reiterated in an interview on British television her promise to bring neither Corbyn nor Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson to power if neither wins a majority on December 12.
Asked whether she would support Labour in an attempt to stop the UK from leaving the EU if there is a hung parliament, she said she would do so, provided Corbyn was no longer the leader. She did not add (as she had done previously) that she herself wanted to become prime minister.
Swinson also said she will not resign after December 12, even if her party loses seats instead of gaining them. The Liberal Democrats, who see themselves as the only alternative to prevent the British departure from the EU, are polling behind both the Conservatives and Labour. But they could play an important role if neither wins a majority and a partner must be found to form a government.
According to the latest polls, Labour has slightly narrowed the gap with the Tories, but the Tories remain well ahead. It is still unclear whether the LibDems will become a solid and stable third party in the UK. As a result, the British political world is eagerly awaiting the results of the upcoming polls which also incorporate public reaction to the terrorist attack on London Bridge.
Tory leader Boris Johnson has tried to avoid blaming the early release of the perpetrator on Conservative governments of recent years. In the BBC interview, Johnson said he found it ridiculous and revolting that dangerous criminals are allowed out after only eight years in prison. And that is why we will change the law, said Johnson, who once again blamed Labour.
When the prime minister was then confronted with the policies of his own Conservative party, including cuts to the police, probation, and justice system, he repeatedly insisted he had nothing to do with that. According to Labour leader Corbyn, lessons must be learned from the incident. Corbyn calls for a full investigation into the release of that suspect.