Jeremy Corbyn lays out ‘simple’ Labour Brexit plan: new deal and second referendum within six months He stood firm on his plan to call a second referendum after an election and reiterated he would put a new deal to the public within months

Jeremy Corbyn insisted Labour’s Brexit timeline is “simple” and would involve a new deal within three months of taking office, with a referendum following shortly after.

Speaking to an audience in Northampton, he set out his Labour “alternative” to Boris Johnson’s Queen’s Speech – which is dismissed as a “cynical stunt”.

And he laid out his proposed Brexit timetable, confirming he would not call a referendum until after an election, after which he would “immediately legislate” for a People’s Vote.

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He said he was the only party leader prepared to “carry out whatever the people decide” by holding a referendum.

Timeline

Despite pressure in his party to back a referendum before any general election, Mr Corbyn stood firm in his plan to wait until after taking office to push for a second vote.

He said he will spend the first three months of his premiership negotiating a new “sensible” deal with the EU which would then be put to a second public vote.

Labour has promised any referendum on Brexit would take place within the first six months of a Labour government.

And Mr Corbyn, who is opting to remain neutral rather than back Leave or Remain, said he will carry out the wishes of the public.

‘Get Brexit sorted’

“The first task of a Labour government will be to finally get Brexit sorted,” he said. “After three years of Tory failure, it’s time to take the decision out of the hands of politicians and let the people have the final say.

“So a Labour government will immediately legislate for a referendum. That referendum won’t be a re-run of 2016.

“No one knew what a deal with the EU would look like back then and the prospect of no deal was dismissed out-of-hand by leading Leave campaigners, including Boris Johnson.

“This time the choice will be between leaving with a sensible deal or remaining in the European Union. Two clear options, both agreed with the EU – no false promises, no bluster.

Deal in three months

Mr Corbyn went on: “So within three months of coming to power, a Labour government will secure a sensible deal, based on the terms we have long advocated and discussed with the EU, trade unions and businesses, including a new customs union, a close single market relationship and guarantees of rights and protections.

“Within six months of being elected we will put that deal to a public vote alongside remain. And as prime minister I will carry out whatever the people decide.

“There’s nothing complicated about that position. It’s really very simple: Labour trusts the people to decide.”

Mr Johnson has repeatedly promised to leave the EU by 31 October – with or without a deal – despite the newly-legislated Benn Act, which requires him to request a Brexit extension to avoid no deal.

Labour ‘doesn’t trust PM’

He has said he will not break the law but has also repeatedly pledged to stick to the Halloween deadline.

Mr Corbyn said it was such contradictions that were preventing Labour from backing the Mr Johnson’s calls for a general election, despite “champing at the bit” for a public poll.

In a message to Mr Johnson, he said: “Prime Minister, we can’t trust you not to break the law because you’ve got form.

“We can’t trust you not to use the period of an election campaign to drive our country off a no-deal cliff edge that will crash our economy, destroy jobs and industries, cause shortages of medicine and food and endanger peace in Northern Ireland.

“So it’s simple – obey the law, take no deal off the table and then let’s have the election.”