Tom Watson calls for Labour to end rivalry and work with Lib Dems to stop a No Deal Brexit

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Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has piled the pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to work with the Liberal Democrats to prevent an 'undemocratic and disastrous' No Deal Brexit under Boris Johnson.

Mr Watson's comments came as Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, said she would work with Mr Watson despite consistent criticism of Mr Corbyn over his Brexit stance.

Senior figures within Labour have ruled out working in a formal cross-party alliance to prevent a chaotic split from the EU. 

They will not countenance working with other parties in a potential unity government or coalition to stop No Deal unless Mr Corbyn is put in charge of it - something the 'Stop Brexit' Lib Dems would be unlikely to accept. 

But Mr Watson challenged the party's approach as he spoke alongside Ms Swinson at an event organised by For Our Future's Sake and Our Future Our Choice - two youth movements campaigning for a second Brexit referendum.

'We cannot tolerate an undemocratic and disastrous No Deal being forced on the country by Boris Johnson,' Mr Watson said.

'To stop him, everyone who cares about democracy, our country and our future must work together because there are enough of us - from all parties in Parliament - to stop him.'

Jeremy Corbyn, pictured in WHaley Bridge on August 5, has been criticised by the Lib Dems because they believe his Brexit policy is unclear but Tom Watson, pictured  in London on August 3, has urged the Labour leader to work with Jo Swinson to stop a no Deal Brexit

Ms Swinson, the Lib Dem leader pictured during a visit to the Irish border on August 12, said 'working with other parties is the only way to stop Boris, and stop Brexit'

He added: 'Whether you're Liberal Democrats, social democrats or democratic socialists, we are all democrats. 

'And democrats have got to realise in this crisis that we're stronger together if we work together.'

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey have both previously said Labour will not strike an official pact with other parties.

Instead they have insisted Labour can win a majority at a general election, which many people in Westminster could happen by the end of November. 

But Mr Watson appeared to receive tacit support from shadow education secretary Angela Rayner this morning.

While attacking Mr McDonnell over remarks on a second Scottish independence referendum she told BBC News 'I welcome opportunities to work with other parties to make sure that ... we stop a No Deal Brexit'.

Ms Swinson has previously criticised Mr Corbyn for being 'indecisive' over Brexit, following calls for the Labour leader to firm up his party's stance towards a second referendum. 

Meanwhile, Labour has repeatedly attacked Ms Swinson over her record when she was in the coalition government since she took over as Lib Dem leader last month. 

But at the event she said she would work with other parties to prevent a 'disastrous' No Deal split. 

Analysis by political strategist James Kanagasooriam for Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday recently found a Remain Alliance between the Lib Dems, Greens, Plaid Cymru and independents could increase the number of explicitly anti-Brexit MPs in England and Wales from 27 to 66. Adding Labour into such an alliance would have major ramifications

'Boris Johnson and his Cabinet are now actively pursuing that dangerous path, and I am committed to working with others across party lines in Parliament to stop No Deal Brexit,' she said.

'This is no time for tribalism. That is why I am pleased to be here today with Tom to show that there is a desire across the political spectrum to stop Boris Johnson's reckless no-deal Brexit plan and instead deliver a brighter future inside the EU.' 

She later tweeted: 'Tom and I have disagreed on a lot of things over the years but on Brexit, we’re united. 

'Working with other parties is the only way to stop Boris, and stop Brexit.'

While Labour and the Lib Dems are not considering a so-called 'Remain Alliance' at a general election - mainly because the former is not explicitly in favour of Remain - such a pact would have major electoral consequences.

Recent analysis suggested that an alliance between the Lib Dems, Greens and Plaid Cymru as seen in the Brecon by-election which Ms Swinson's party won would boost the number of anti-Brexit MPs from 27 to 66.

Adding Labour into the mix would boost that figure significantly.