This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41229806
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Labour: No change in EU single market policy | Labour: No change in EU single market policy |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Labour spokesman has played down Jeremy Corbyn's remark that long-term membership of the EU single market after Brexit is "open for discussion". | |
| The spokesman said the party's policy had not changed and that the UK would not remain a single market member. | |
| Labour's policy is to stay in the single market - which enables tariff-free trading between members - for a temporary period after March 2019. | Labour's policy is to stay in the single market - which enables tariff-free trading between members - for a temporary period after March 2019. |
| In a BBC interview, Mr Corbyn was asked about his longer-term proposals. | In a BBC interview, Mr Corbyn was asked about his longer-term proposals. |
| He told Radio 4's The World at One: "We want a relationship which allows us to trade within the single market. | He told Radio 4's The World at One: "We want a relationship which allows us to trade within the single market. |
| "Whether that's formal membership, which is only possible, I believe, if you're actually a member of the EU, or whether it's an agreed trading relationship, is open for discussion. The outcome is more important than the nomenclature on the way." | "Whether that's formal membership, which is only possible, I believe, if you're actually a member of the EU, or whether it's an agreed trading relationship, is open for discussion. The outcome is more important than the nomenclature on the way." |
| Mr Corbyn has previously said the UK will have to leave the single market, membership of which carries obligations including accepting the free movement of EU citizens - because it is "inextricably linked" with EU membership. | |
| Responding to his latest comments, a Labour spokesman said: "We won't be 'members' of the single market after the transition. | |
| "We want to achieve full tariff-free access to the single market. That could be achieved by a new relationship with the single market or a bespoke trade deal with the EU." | |
| BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said the leader's remarks were likely to fuel fears among some Brexit-supporting Labour MPs that the party is backtracking on the issue. | |
| Deputy leader Tom Watson is among Labour MPs who has suggested the UK could remain in the EU's single market on a permanent basis but said this would depend on the outcome of the wider Brexit negotiations. | |
| The UK government is seeking a comprehensive free trade deal with the EU to replace its current membership of the single market. | |
| But this cannot be negotiated until the EU agrees to move Brexit talks on from their initial phase. |