Jeremy Corbyn has sparked fresh fears in Brussels of a no-deal Brexit after saying during talks with senior EU Brexit officials that he will vote down anything that fails to deliver the same benefits as membership of the single market and customs union.

EU steps up plans for no-deal Brexit as Labour stance alarms capitals Read more

The Labour leader spent two hours with Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, and Martin Selmayr, the most senior official in charge of planning for a cliff-edge Brexit.

Emerging from the European commission headquarters, Corbyn said Barnier “was interested to know what our views are in the six tests”, referring to the criteria Labour has said must be met to ensure its MPs back a deal.

The EU is increasingly concerned that the UK parliament will vote down any deal put forward by Theresa May. One of Labour’s tests is that an agreement must offer the “exact same benefits” as membership of the single market and customs union.

Quick guide What are Labour's six Brexit tests? Show Hide Does it ensure a strong and collaborative future relationship with the EU?

Does it deliver the “exact same benefits” as we currently have as members of the single market and customs union?

Does it ensure the fair management of migration in the interests of the economy and communities?

Does it defend rights and protections and prevent a race to the bottom?

Does it protect national security and our capacity to tackle cross-border crime?

Does it deliver for all regions and nations of the UK?



The Labour leader had initially planned a low-key visit to Brussels to attend the naming of a square in the Belgian capital in honour of the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox. It is understood, however, that the EU’s most senior officials were anxious to hear directly from Corbyn about his party’s plans, and invited him for a session of talks.

After meeting Barnier and Selmayr, who is the secretary general of the European commission and in charge of no-deal planning, Corbyn insisted he was “not negotiating” but that there was an informal agreement that both sides would continue to talk.

Play Video 1:10 Labour will vote against Chequers plan, or whatever is left of it, says Corbyn - video

“We’ve set out the views of the Labour party on issues surrounding Brexit following the conference speeches made by both [the shadow Brexit secretary] Keir Starmer and myself,” he said.

“We’re obviously not negotiating, we’re not in government, we’re the opposition, but he was interested to know what our views are and the six tests that we’ve laid down by which we will hold the British government to account in future.”

Corbyn said Barnier appeared to be “very well aware of what both of us have said at our party conference”.

Asked whether Labour would seek an extension of the article 50 negotiating period if it were to take power, Corbyn told reporters: “Sadly we’re not in government at the moment. Obviously it depends when [there would be an election] and what the scenario would be. We would want to maintain a relationship with Europe around the six tests that Keir has clearly set out on behalf of the Labour party.”

Play Video 1:57 'Nobody is ruling out remain as an option': Keir Starmer at Labour's Brexit debate – video

Corbyn said the EU negotiator had not expressed any opinion about Labour’s stance. He said of Barnier: “He made no opinion on this, it’s not a negotiation, its us informing him of what our views are and he telling us what the state of play was on negotiations.”

Barnier later tweeted: “Continuing to listen to all views on # Brexit and to explain EU positions, which aim for the UK’s orderly withdrawal and to build an ambitious future partnership together.”

The Guardian revealed on Wednesday that the EU was intensifying its no-deal preparations amid increased concerns over the ratification of a deal. EU leaders have also insisted on their right to go over the head of the European commission and strike mini-deals with the UK in the event of a no-deal scenario in order to mitigate the worst effects of a cliff-edge Brexit, including the grounding of flights and blockage of haulage routes.

The leader of the Conservatives’ MEPs, Ashley Fox, said: “Jeremy Corbyn’s stance on Brexit is unfathomable, unworkable and focused only on the narrow interests of the Labour party, not our country or the EU … Corbyn’s determination to oppose any deal the prime minister secures in Brussels, simply to try and force a general election, threatens the livelihoods of people not only in Britain but across Europe. The EU knows this and regards him as a threat to the negotiations.”