'˜Massive' difference in Labour, Tory Brexit policies, says Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn has insisted there is an 'absolutely massive' difference between the Brexit policies of Labour and the Conservatives.

By The Newsroom Wednesday, 22nd August 2018, 5:33 pm Updated Wednesday, 22nd August 2018, 5:39 pm

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Picture: Lesley Martin/PA Wire

The Labour leader said unlike “many” Tory MPs seeking to leave the European Union without a deal, his party was looking for an economy that invests in the future and gives rights to “everybody in our society”.

Speaking in Possilpark in Glasgow today, Mr Corbyn was asked if there was any difference between Labour and the Tories on Brexit.

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He said: “There’s a massive difference because we are not looking for a no-deal Brexit as many Tory MPs are. We’re not looking to do a deregulatory sweetheart deal with Donald Trump.

“We’re looking instead for an economy that invests for the future, gives rights at work, consumer rights and environmental protection to everybody in our society.

“The difference between Labour and the Tories is absolutely massive on this.”

The assertion comes after Mr Corbyn repeatedly failed to say whether Britain would be better off outside the European Union in an interview with Channel 4 News.

He was asked six times whether he believed Britain was better off outside of the EU.

At the sixth time, he replied: “I’ve answered your question five times and for the sixth time I will say this to you – the Labour priority is to negotiate a trading relationship with the European Union, to protect jobs and to defend the living standards that we have through regulation, but also to make sure that the jobs in the manufacturing industry and the food supply chain are protected.”

The UK Government will tomorrow publish papers outlining its planning for a possible no-deal Brexit.

Brexit secretary Dominic Raab is due to give a speech to coincide with the release of the first of a raft of papers on more than 80 subjects.

It follows his assurances that EU citizens living in the UK will not be “turfed out” if no deal is agreed with Brussels as he vowed to “move swiftly” to safeguard their future.

Mr Raab said he was confident of reaching an agreement, but sought to reassure those living in Britain that ministers would act quickly to secure their position if the UK crashes out of the EU.

The Cabinet minister told the BBC: “We hugely value the contribution of EU citizens here in the UK and I am confident that in the unlikely eventuality that we don’t have a deal, we will move swiftly to secure their position.”

And he said it was “inconceivable we would do anything other than make sure that they are legally in a position where they’re secure to stay”.