rather than serve under Mr Johnson (Philip Hammond, David Gauke and Rory Stewart) but also those who
took ministerial posts despite previous misgivings about EU withdrawal (Amber Rudd and Nicky Morgan).
Ms Swinson said the coming weeks represented a big test for Conservative MPs who recognised the risk of
no deal but had so far held back from rebellion.
Speaking to The Independent less than two weeks after being elected Sir Vince Cable’s successor, she
confirmed that she had been in contact with Tory former ministers who quit on Mr Johnson’s election. She
had also held discussions with potential defectors who could eliminate his single-seat working majority at a
stroke by crossing the floor in the run-up to the scheduled date of Brexit on 31 October.
With pro-EU Tories such as Phillip Lee and Margot James openly mulling quitting the party over Mr
Johnson’s leadership, many in Westminster expect defections timed for maximum impact during
conference season.
Ms Swinson confirmed she had been in discussion with people who shared her party’s values, although she
dismissed suggestions that she was holding out the offer of a peerage as a lure to potential switchers.
Asked whether she was planning to unveil defectors in an “autumn surprise” bombshell at September’s Lib
Dem conference in Bournemouth, she would say only: “I’m hopeful to grow the parliamentary party
further.”
Meanwhile, anti-Brexit MPs from all parties continue to hold talks about possible parliamentary
mechanisms to stop the new prime minister forcing no deal through on Halloween. They also want to
establish the option of a Final Say referendum.
Tory MP Phillip Lee has publicly questioned his
own future in the party (Parliament Live)A series of crunch divisions – including a possible no-confidence vote to bring down the government – is
expected when the Commons returns from its summer break in September.
And with Mr Johnson’s working majority reduced to just one by Lib Dem victory in Thursday’s Brecon and
Radnorshire by-election, the result of the votes on which the country’s future hangs will rest on the
decisions of a few wavering MPs.
Ms Swinson said: “I think it’s incumbent on people who in good faith have tried to get a deal through to
recognise now that that is not where the current prime minister is heading. They are now faced with the
prospect of having to push through a no-deal Brexit which they know will be a disaster and they need to put
the national interest ahead of their personal and party interest.
“I’m confident that some will stand up and be counted, but I don’t think there is any guarantee that enough
will. So it is important that every MP realises the power of the vote that they have.