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Brexit talks between Tories and Labour collapse Brexit talks between Tories and Labour collapse
(32 minutes later)
Labour has pulled out of cross-party Brexit talks, with the Labour leader writing to Theresa May to say that a lack of progress and government instability means the discussions “have now gone as far as they can”. Labour has pulled out of cross-party Brexit talks, with Jeremy Corbyn writing to Theresa May to say that a lack of progress and government instability means the discussions “have now gone as far as they can”.
In a letter to the prime minister, released on Friday, the Labour leader said the talks, designed to find a compromise Brexit plan, had taken place in good faith on both sides and had been “detailed [and] constructive”.In a letter to the prime minister, released on Friday, the Labour leader said the talks, designed to find a compromise Brexit plan, had taken place in good faith on both sides and had been “detailed [and] constructive”.
He continued: “However, it has become clear that, while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us. “However, it has become clear that, while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.
“Even more crucially, the increasing weakness and instability of your government means there cannot be confidence in securing whatever might be agreed between us.”“Even more crucially, the increasing weakness and instability of your government means there cannot be confidence in securing whatever might be agreed between us.”
The letter says Labour will “carefully consider” any new proposals, such as the government’s stated next plan of presenting MPs with a series of options to vote on. The letter says Labour would “carefully consider” any new proposals, such as the government’s stated next plan of presenting MPs with a series of options to vote on to seek a consensus.
He added: “However, I should reiterate that, without significant changes, we will continue to oppose the government’s deal as we do not believe it safeguards jobs, living standards and manufacturing industry in Britain.” Corbyn added: “However, I should reiterate that, without significant changes, we will continue to oppose the government’s deal as we do not believe it safeguards jobs, living standards and manufacturing industry in Britain.”
Theresa May has been under intense pressure from many Conservative MPs since the surprise announcement of the talks at the start of last month, with Tories fearful she would agree to Labour’s demand for a customs union to get a Brexit plan through parliament. He cited May’s imminent departure as a reason why Labour had growing doubts “about the government’s ability to deliver on any compromise agreement”.
However, a round of talks, primarily between ministers, shadow ministers and officials – though also some directly between May and Jeremy Corbyn – brought complaints from Labour that no real compromises were being offered. The PM on Thursday promised the executive of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers that she would set a date for her departure in the first week of June, leading MPs to believe she will trigger a leadership contest before the summer.
Amid the jostle to succeed her, Corbyn wrote: “The position of the government has become ever more unstable and its authority eroded. Not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the cabinet.”
He cited comments by cabinet ministers rejecting any type of customs union, and the view of Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, that a new US trade deal could involve lower food standards, for example the import of chlorinated chicken.
The focus will now move to the idea of indicative votes in the Commons to find a compromise. According to a leaked government document seen by ITV and others, May wants to hold the talks next week, before a planned vote on a withdrawal agreement in the week starting 3 June.
According to this supposed timetable, MPs could vote on whether to hold a second referendum on a final deal, which has support from many Labour MPs.
A Labour source said the party had made no commitments on the indicative votes.
May has been under intense pressure from many Conservative MPs since the surprise announcement of the talks at the start of last month, with Tories fearful she would agree to Labour’s demand for a customs union to get a Brexit plan through parliament.
However, a round of talks, primarily between ministers, shadow ministers and officials – though also some directly between May and Corbyn – brought complaints from Labour that no real compromises were being offered.
May refusing to budge on Brexit customs union, says LabourMay refusing to budge on Brexit customs union, says Labour
The pound fell below $1.28 on Friday for the first time since February after the BBC led bulletins predicting the imminent demise of the process. There was no immediate comment from Downing Street or Labour. The pound fell below $1.28 on Friday for the first time since February after the BBC led bulletins predicting the imminent demise of the process.
If the process does end, then May has said the next step would be to present MPs with a series of options on Brexit for them to decide on a possible compromise. After May met the 1922 Committee executive on Thursday, its chair, Sir Graham Brady, said she would agree a timetable for the election of a new leader after her Brexit legislation returned to parliament for a final attempt in the week of 3 June.
However, this plan is also fraught with uncertainties, not least whether Labour would support it. An expected reason why the party could pull out of the talks is the prospect of a new Conservative leader undoing any agreement after a Brexit deal passes the Commons, and one concern is the votes would not be binding on May’s successor.
This element of the process has been heightened after May on Thursday promised the executive of the powerful 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers that she would set a date for her departure in the first week of June, leading MPs to believe she will trigger a leadership contest before the summer.
Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the committee, said she would agree a timetable for the election of a new leader after her Brexit legislation returned to parliament for a final attempt in the week of 3 June.
May had previously promised she would step down only after the first stage of a Brexit plan was agreed. However, there is near-unanimous expectation that the bill will be rejected by MPs again that week.May had previously promised she would step down only after the first stage of a Brexit plan was agreed. However, there is near-unanimous expectation that the bill will be rejected by MPs again that week.
The announcement of the talks, made by May in a TV statement from Downing Street after a seven-hour cabinet meeting, opened the door for a possible customs union, dismaying many Tories but raising the possibility of a deal.
However, the talks have seemingly achieved little, and Conservative MPs have been further spooked at the idea of a softer Brexit by the rapid rise of Nigel Farage’s Brexit party, which is leading the polls for next week’s European elections.
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Jeremy CorbynJeremy Corbyn
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