Labour threat to vote against Theresa May's Brexit plan

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45631792

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Labour MPs are "likely" to be ordered to vote against any Brexit deal based on Theresa May's Chequers plan, Sir Keir Starmer will say on Tuesday.

The plans look set to fail the six tests the shadow Brexit secretary set for any deal with Brussels, he will say as he addresses the party conference.

Labour members will then debate and vote on whether all options - including a referendum - should remain open.

Sir Keir said he expected the party to "unite" around this position.

He rejected suggestions of splits between senior figures, telling BBC Breakfast "we have reached a consensus, that is amazing".

Labour's policy is to force an election if MPs are deadlocked over Brexit but members have succeeded in getting a debate on a fresh referendum on to the agenda at the conference in Liverpool.

The motion says: "If we cannot get a general election, Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - who has previously ruled out another referendum - has vowed to respect the decision of party members.

But Monday saw confusion over whether the leadership thought any fresh referendum should include staying in the EU as an option.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he thought any vote should be on the terms of a Brexit deal - rather than on remaining in the EU.

But he later said "all options" were on the table - a point reinforced by Sir Keir.

The prime minister's Chequers plan, which would see the UK staying closely aligned to the EU in some areas, such as the trade in goods, has been heavily criticised by EU leaders and many of her own MPs.

Labour - which wants the UK to remain in a customs union but not the single market - has not ruled out voting for any deal Mrs May brings back from Brussels, ahead of the UK's 29 March departure date.

But Sir Keir set six tests on guaranteeing workers rights and ensuring the UK continued to enjoy all the "benefits" of being a member of a customs union and single market.

He told Breakfast that Labour would not "step into the breach and support the prime minister in a bad deal" that was not in the national interest, just because the Conservatives were clearly split.

Labour is publishing analysis it says will show that the PM's proposals currently "put jobs, the economy, people's livelihoods and no hard border in Northern Ireland at risk".

In his party conference speech, Sir Keir will say Labour's goal is not to "frustrate the process" but to "stop a destructive Tory Brexit".

"Some have said Labour could vote for any deal the Tories reach. Some have said we may abstain. Some have said we may support a vague deal - a 'blind Brexit' - that gives no detail about the terms of our future relationship," he will say.

"So, let me be very clear - right here, right now: if Theresa May brings back a deal that fails our tests - and that looks increasingly likely - Labour will vote against it. No ifs, no buts.

"And if the prime minister thinks we'll wave through a vague deal asking us to jump blindfolded into the unknown she can think again."

The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Sir Keir's comments meant the chances of the Brexit process "imploding" in Parliament had gone up significantly.

For the Conservatives, Brexit minister Robin Walker accused Labour of "playing political games", adding: "Labour seem determined to take us all back to square one by rejecting a deal out of hand then trying to delay Brexit and re-run the referendum.

"This Conservative government is negotiating the right deal for the UK, one that promotes jobs and protects security and the precious Union between the four nations of the UK."