Jeremy Corbyn: Brexit compromise talks with the government fail
Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Libby Wiener
Jeremy Corbyn says Brexit compromise talks with the government have “gone as far as they can”.
The Labour leader has written to the Prime Minister to inform her that talks on finding a compromise agreement for leaving the European Union have “gone as far as they can” due to “the increasing weakness and instability” of the government.
But Mrs May hit back at the letter, blaming Labour's mixed viewers on a second referendum for the talks deadlock.
Jeremy Corbyn writes that as the Conservative Party moves towards selecting a new leader, “the position of the government has become ever more unstable and its authority eroded” undermining “confidence” in the “government's ability to deliver any compromise agreement”. He notes that “not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the Cabinet.”
The Labour leader describes the talks as “detailed” and “constructive”, but expresses disappointment that “while there are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.”
Jeremy Corbyn ends the letter by stating that Labour will carefully consider any proposals the Government brings forward to break the Brexit deadlock, but reiterates that, without significant changes, the Party will continue to oppose the Government’s botched deal.
ITV News' Political Correspondent Paul Brand says that Labour could be interested in May's plan to hold another round of indicative votes.
Jeremy Corbyn's letter in full:
Dear Prime Minister
I am writing to let you know that I believe the talks between us about finding a compromise agreement on leaving the European Union have now gone as far as they can.
I would like to put on record that the talks have been conducted in good faith on both sides and thank those involved for their efforts to find common ground.
The talks have been detailed, constructive and have involved considerable effort for both our teams.
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.
As I said when we met on Tuesday evening, there has been growing concern in both the Shadow Cabinet and parliamentary Labour Party about the government's ability to deliver on any compromise agreement.
As you have been setting out your decision to stand down and Cabinet ministers are competing to succeed you, 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.
In recent days we have heard senior Cabinet ministers reject any form of customs union, regardless of proposals made by government negotiators. And despite assurances we have been given on protection of environmental, food and animal welfare standards, the International Trade Secretary has confirmed that importing chlorinated chicken as part of a US trade deal remains on the table.
After six weeks of talks, it is only right that the Government now wishes again to test the will of Parliament, and we will carefully consider any proposals the Government wishes to bring forward to break the Brexit deadlock.
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.
Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Corbyn
What has Theresa May said in response?
Responding to Jeremy Corbyn’s decision to end Brexit talks, Theresa May said: “We have not been able to overcome the fact that there is not a common position in Labour about whether they want to deliver Brexit or hold a second referendum which could reverse it.”