Lib Dems are eyeing a bigger prize than blocking a no-deal Brexit

Politicians determined to prevent a no-deal Brexit are locked in a Mexican stand-off. If Boris Johnson cannot command a Commons majority, Jo Swinson has made it clear that under no circumstances will Liberal Democrats support a caretaker Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour government. John McDonnell has indicated that Labour will not back a temporary national unity government under an as-yet unnamed backbench MP. With Parliament in recess we are in the realm of second-guessing what might happen next.

When MPs return to Westminster, Johnson might win a vote of confidence. But even if he loses, the Prime Minister could possibly engineer a general election to subvert the cunning plans of the no-no Dealers.

The war of words now being waged between Lib Dems and Labour’s Corbyn leadership might therefore turn out to be moot. But whatever the future holds, this dispute is not inconsequential. It reveals that, despite everything they say, there is something more important at stake than preventing a no-deal Brexit.