The Labour peer tweeted that a “single anti-corruption” candidate should stand against the Tories in the seat formerly occupied by Owen Paterson. Mr Paterson - the disgraced former Government minister - resigned earlier this month after it emerged that he was paid ￡110,000 to use his position to lobby.

       It sparked a public outcry and led to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer branding Boris Johnson’s behaviour "corrupt and contemptible".

       Mr Johnson later rebuffed this but as the fallout continues to snowball - it has led to wider calls for MPs to be banned from having often lucrative second jobs.

       The ensuing by-election in Mr Pateron’s North Shropshire constituency will be keenly observed.

       Now Lord Adonis is suggesting that all the opposition parties should unify behind a cross-party candidate.

       READ MORE: Brexit: Boris faces mass protests on Irish border

       He tweeted: “There should be a single anti-corruption candidate standing to replace Owen Paterson in North Shropshire, supported by Labour, the Lib Dems & the Greens.

       “Time to get real about politics and forge a progressive alliance.”

       The idea had been mooted but was quickly dismissed after Labour and the Lib Dems failed to agree on a candidate.

       This development may have been lost on the former New Labour man or maybe he believed his rallying cry would spur the parties to reconsider it.

       DON'T MISS:

       Alok Sharma left in tears amid last-minute COP26 setback [ANALYSIS]

       Brexit Britain already branded global 'force' - year after leaving EU [INSIGHT]

       Lord Adonis says UK ready to rejoin EU [REVEALED]

       Either way - people from all sides of the political spectrum quickly rubbished the chance of it happening.

       Mike Barrett wrote: “I agree it's not going to happen, as the so-called progressives hate each other more than the Tories.

       “But your solution won't work as many people who would back an anti-corruption candidate, would never, in a million years, back a candidate standing under the Labour banner.”

       Anti-Tory user Sam Deasy said: “It’s not going to happen though, so we can only pray for a Chesham and Amersham situation (where a huge swing to the Lib Dems won them the seat).”

       What do you think about Lord Adonis' plan? Click here and tell us below.

       Tim Ashby wrote: “That's not going to happen.

       “So the Lib Dems and Greens should get behind the Labour candidate and assist him to overturn the sizeable majority that Paterson had.”

       Meanwhile, The Nerve - which appeared to support the idea - wrote: “Not going to happen though. Unfortunately.”

       The rural constituency has been held by Mr Paterson since 1997 and in normal times is considered ultra-safe for the Tories.

       At the 2019 General Election he won 63 percent of the vote, beating Labour by nearly 23,000 votes.

       However with the Tories mired in a sleaze scandal that stonking majority could dwindle.

       It could replicate what happened in June’s Chesham and Amersham by-election when the Lib Dems overturned a Tory majority of more than 15,000 amid anger over the Government’s proposals to change the planning laws.