Maybe Alastair has this the wrong way round? Corbyn and his advisers know he can't lead an alternative government. His letter, and its rejection, makes clear to his fans, and, indeed, his implacable enemies, that it is a total non-starter.
Therefore, the search for someone acceptable can begin in reasonable time.

Beibheirli_C said:

Harriet Harman was a temporary leader of Labour IIRC, but surely Tom Watson is the man? Deputy Leader and already building many links across party lines.

I think that Tom Watson is probably hated as much by the Corbyn establishment as Jo Swinson

tlg86 said:

Oh Jeremy Corbyn!

Worth remembering that ATL Boris Johnson was never going to be PM. Don't rule out Jezza just yet.

I haven't.

HYUFD said:

Indeed, with the LDs probably closer to overtaking Labour as the main party of the centre left than at any time since 1983 when the SDP/Liberal Alliance were just 2% behind Foot's Labour why would Swinson prop up Corbyn Labour? Swinson wants to destroy Corbyn Labour

Wouldn't she put stopping Brexit rather higher on her list of priorities? I would have thought "Corbyn Labour" suits her just fine. It is non-Corbyn Labour which would give her more trouble.

Disagree with Meeks. For once Corbyn [ with bit of warming up by McDonnell ] has played a blinder. The Tories' Little Helpers have to decide: do they want to stop No Deal Brexit or not ? Maybe, it is not such a big deal to the LDs after all. They are dreaming of replacing Labour in the South. Who knows, the LDs may even secretly want a disastrous Brexit.

Indeed, with the LDs probably closer to overtaking Labour as the main party of the centre left than at any time since 1983 when the SDP/Liberal Alliance were just 2% behind Foot's Labour why would Swinson prop up Corbyn Labour? Swinson wants to destroy Corbyn Labour. Hence she will only back a Tory Remainer like Clarke or a Labour moderate like Harman probably unacceptable to Corbynites

First - unlike Corbyn...