Jeremy Corbyn has agreed that a delay to Brexit appears inevitable, to allow for a renegotiation of Theresa May’s doomed deal.
The Labour leader said there was no split with Keir Starmer, his Brexit secretary, who was “reflecting practicalities” when he signalled support for an extension to the Article 50 notice.
On a Final Say referendum, he repeated his position to “keep all options on the table, including the option of campaigning for a public vote,” if his bid for a general election fails.
Speaking in Wakefield, Mr Corbyn insisted an election was the only way to heal the deep divisions caused by Brexit, while insisting Labour could negotiate “a better deal” with the EU.
But he admitted his plan to table a vote of no confidence in the government was doomed to fail unless it could win support from Tory rebels, or the Democratic Unionist Party.
“Clearly, Labour does not have enough MPs in parliament to win a confidence vote on its own,” Mr Corbyn said.
“So, members across the House should vote with us to break the deadlock. This paralysis cannot continue. Uncertainty is putting people’s jobs and livelihoods at risk.”
But Mr Corbyn stepped back from an ally’s suggestion that he would stage the no-confidence vote “immediately” after the expected defeat for the prime minister’s deal on Tuesday.
“Labour will table a motion of no confidence in the government at the moment we judge it to have the best chance of success,” he repeated
As expected, Mr Corbyn immediately rejected the prime minister’s attempted olive deal to backbench Labour MPs, which could see her backing their bid to safe guard Labour rights after Brexit.
“It's already been quite clearly and emphatically rejected by the TUC and leading trade unions. They say it simply doesn't guarantee the protections that we are seeking,” he said.
On Wednesday, Sir Keir suggested an extension “may well be inevitable”, while acknowledging it would require the consent of the other 27 EU members.
Asked if he agreed, Mr Corbyn said a Labour government would need “time” to carry out a fresh negotiation with the EU.
“Quite clearly, moving into office at a period right up against the clock, there would need to be time for that negotiation,” he said.
“What Keir was doing was reflecting the practicalities of how that negotiation would be undertaken.”
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
Sign our petition here
