Labour may support staying in a Norway-style close relationship with the EU in another Brexit U-turn
EEA membership means staying in the single market, a red line for the PM because it would also mean free movement
LABOUR may support staying in a Norway-style close relationship with the EU at a Commons showdown, it’s deputy leader revealed.
Tom Watson said the major policy shift to back EEA membership is a possibility before major votes on Brexit in two weeks time.
Rebel Tory MPs are also threatening to back a Lords Amendment to the landmark EU Withdrawal Bill to join the European Economic Area, leaving Theresa May facing another crippling defeat.
EEA membership means staying in the single market, a red line for the PM because it would also mean free movement continuing.
But more than 70 Labour MPs are pressing Jeremy Corbyn into another Brexit U-turn to back EEA membership.
Quizzed on whether the option is still open, Mr Watson said: “I guess it is. We haven’t made a decision yet”.
But he also suggested a deep split remained on the move, adding: “We’ve been pretty clear that there are deficiencies in the Norway model that might not work for a bespoke UK deal”.
The EEA threat is a second major challenge for Mrs May’s Brexit plans, after pro-EU Tory MPs also pledged to vote with Labour to keep the UK in a customs union with the EU.
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Tory Brexit minister Steve Baker dubbed Mr Watson’s remarks as “the latest sign that Labour are trying to frustrate Brexit”.
Mr Baker added: “Staying in the EEA would mean following EU rules with no say, committing to free movement, and not delivering the change the country needs.”
