UK's Corbyn wants to bring down government over no-deal Brexit risk

The leader of the United Kingdom's main opposition party claimed on Monday that the ruling Conservatives had "failed" on the Brexit issue and that a general election offers the best way forward.

Jeremy Corbyn said in a speech in the English county of Northamptonshire that an election would give the UK the "change of direction the country needs".

And he said he will do "everything necessary" to ensure the UK does not leave the European Union without a divorce deal in place, something Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appeared willing to tolerate.

Corbyn spoke in the wake of the publication in The Sunday Times of a leaked government report that warns of shortages of food, medicine, and fuel in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and of chaos at transportation hubs.

"A general election triggered by the Tory Brexit crisis will be a crossroads for our country," Corbyn said. "It will be a once-in-a-generation chance for a real change of direction … and, if there is a general election this autumn, Labour would commit to holding a public vote, to give voters the final say, with credible options for both sides, including the option to remain (in the EU)."

He said the nation had "lurched to the hard right under Boris Johnson", who he described as "Britain's Trump".

"Labour believes the decision … must go back to the people."

Corbyn hopes to be able to trigger and win a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in Johnson's government, which would open the door to MPs calling a general election. But, instead of immediately calling one, he wants Parliament to install him as a temporary, time-limited prime minister, so he can postpone the scheduled Oct 31 deadline by which the UK is currently committed to leave the EU. Then, he says, with the date delayed, he will call a general election.

He said the maneuver would "pull our country back from the brink".

Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly said Corbyn is only offering "dither and delay".

"This is a cynical attempt to seize power by a man who would wreck the economy, is soft on crime, and won't stand up for Britain," he told the BBC. "Only Boris Johnson and the Conservatives can provide the leadership Britain needs, and deliver Brexit by Oct 31, whatever happens."

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the broadcaster Corbyn will meet other British politicians in the coming days to flesh out his plan. Labour also wants MPs called back from their summer vacations, so Parliament can debate the issue.

Business groups, meanwhile, have told the Financial Times that many UK companies are not ready for a no-deal Brexit.

Edwin Morgan, interim director-general of the Institute of Directors, said many were "seriously underprepared" and faced "unknown unknowns".

Mike Cherry, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said smaller companies simply do not have the resources needed to plan for a no-deal Brexit.

"The ongoing political uncertainty has meant it's impossible for them to invest, expand, and hire when we don't know what the future holds," he added.