Jeremy Corbyn promises ‘softest Brexit’ possible with full access to single market in policy shift
The policy shift is thought to be a bid to unite the party behind a Labour motion to amend the EU Withdrawal bill
JEREMY Corbyn has announced Labour will pursue one of the softest Brexits possible by keeping most of the EU-UK relationship intact.
The leader and his top team are said to be planning to vote for full access to the single market without full membership, while maintaining most of the “shared institutions and regulations”.
The shift is thought to be a bid to unite the party behind a Labour motion to amend the EU Withdrawal Bill.
But Mr Corbyn was accused of selling "snake oil" with his new plan - which the Tories mocked as "the worst of all worlds".
Critics pointed out that the scheme would force Britain to continue accepting European regulations, without having any say in the EU.
And Labour's Brexit supremo Keir Starmer today admitted that the amendment was mostly intended as a way of healing the party's bitter divisions on Europe.
A Lords amendment being voted on next week proposes remaining in the European Economic Area, keeping the UK in the single market.
Labour’s new amendment is described as “the softest possible” Brexit without actually staying in the EEA.
Sir Keir said today that Labour couldn't back the EEA amendment because it would alienate dozens of the party's MPs who want to see Britain quit the EU single market.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The difficulty with that, and I think everybody recognises this, is that there are very strong and very different views across the PLP (parliamentary Labour party) on that particular amendment.
"So, whilst there's unity on all the others and we will all be voting together, on that amendment there are very divided views."
He added: "I wish I could report complete unity on all amendments but we are not in that position."
But Labour MP Alison McGovern : “This looks a lot like supporting the single market. Why not just vote for the Lords amendment?”
Lib Dem chief whip Alistair Carmichael said: “The amendments tabled by the Labour Party are proof, if proof is needed, that Jeremy Corbyn is far from being the brave defender of the pro-EU cause that he would have us believe.
"He is peddling snake oil in a bottle wrapped with the EU flag. The only way to have access to the single market is by being part of the European Economic Area."
And Brexit Minister Suella Braverman added: "Labour have shattered their promise to respect the referendum result.
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"This amendment means accepting free movement and continuing to follow EU rules with absolutely no say in them, which is the worst of all worlds."
Henry Newman of the Open Europe think-tank insisted the Labour proposal would prove unworkable, quipping: "But it's opposition politics so you can promise unicorns."
All 15 amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill passed by the Lords will be voted on by the Commons next Tuesday.
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