Jeremy Corbyn yesterday warned the chances of stopping Boris Johnson’s no-deal Brexit in its tracks are reducing to “almost zero” as he raised the stakes after days of political chaos.
While in Glasgow, the UK Labour leader said it is vital for MPs to come together next week to challenge the Prime Minister before it’s too late.
If successful, opposition parties can then seize the agenda and prevent a no-deal exit from Europe.
Corbyn told the Record: “The opportunities to stop a no-deal exit are being reduced to the point of almost zero under the Prime Minister’s proposals and that is exactly what he wants.”
Chaos erupted earlier this week when Johnson announced his plan to suspend parliament.
He claims it is to present a new legislative programme. Opponents say it’s to shut down debate on Brexit.
Corbyn said: “It’s a smash and grab raid against democracy.
“We will do a legislative option next Tuesday to prevent leaving the EU without a deal. It would be catastrophic for jobs.”
Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell caused uproar in Scottish Labour this month by ditching long-held opposition to another independence referendum.
He now believes any return to the question would have to follow a fresh mandate such as an SNP victory on an independence ticket in the 2021 Holyrood election.
Corbyn said: “If the Scottish Parliament, in a democratic way, requests a second referendum further down the line, obviously that would be considered.
“The priority has to be dealing with social divisions across the UK, particularly poverty levels in Scotland, which are horrendous.”
Corbyn, who spent time in central Glasgow and the east end, shrugged off dreadful results for his party in three by-elections on Thursday.
In Shetland, the party took one per cent of votes in a Holyrood contest and lost their deposit in a contest won by Lib Dem Beatrice Wishart.
Labour slipped backwards in a council vote in East Kilbride and lost a seat in an English ward.
Corbyn said: “The campaigning we’re doing, the way in which I’ve managed to bring opposition parties together, and a motion of no confidence, shows Labour is standing up against this Government.”
