Jo Swinson is a formidable fighter, but an unwillingness to compromise over Brexit could be her undoing

Editorial: Brexit has destroyed many of the familiar conventions of British politics. Routinely writing off the Lib Dems and their leader is another assumption that cannot be relied on

Tuesday 05 November 2019 21:13 GMT
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Jo Swinson 'absolutely categorically' rules out working with Jeremy Corbyn even to deliver new Brexit referendum

If there is such a thing as a natural political leader, then Jo Swinson certainly qualifies for such a title. She has taken to the role as if born to it.

Since she was elected to head the Liberal Democrats in the summer, Ms Swinson has asserted herself in formidable fashion. Building on the recovery job undertaken by her predecessor, Vince Cable, she lead her party to an impressive result in the European elections, beating both the Labour and Conservative parties (albeit trailing Nigel Farage’s latest Brexit vehicle).

Where once a claim by a Lib Dem leader that they could become prime minister was met with embarrassed giggles all round, there is no such reaction to the audacity of Ms Swinson’s claim. It is rooted in a solid base of support in the polls, and the fact that the British electorate is in a febrile and volatile mood. Brexit has destroyed many of the familiar conventions of British politics. Routinely writing off the Lib Dems and their leader is another assumption that cannot be relied on.

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