Although it seems improbable, it says something about the political flux we are in that the bid by the Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn to install himself as a caretaker leader of the country has not yet been kicked into touch.

The fact a handful of Conservative MPs have indicated their willingness to talk about the idea tells you a lot about the deep divisions within the party.

Conservative ministers have been dispatched to rubbish the proposal and have dismissed it out of hand.

It is true that it takes a huge leap of imagination to conceive a scenario in which Mr Corbyn - one of the most divisive party leaders - could lead a unity government, even temporarily.

And while it is hard to see the circumstances in which MPs would be prepared to install Ken Clarke or Harriet Harman as temporary leaders of the country, they might command more support than Mr Corbyn.

But both are about as likely as the England cricket team posting a decent first innings total.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has gone from denouncing the idea as nonsense to accepting that there is some merit in the principle - so long as a national unity government isn’t led by Mr Corbyn.

Perhaps MPs should cast the net a little wider if they want someone to bring the country together.

Anyone got a number for Gareth Southgate?

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