Jeremy Corbyn slammed over ‘pathetic’ stance on Brexit
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has labelled Jeremy Corbyn "pathetic" - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Jeremy Corbyn has been dubbed 'pathetic' and accused of failing millions of working families over Brexit.
The Labour leader rejected a call from the SNP to join a cross-party coalition to keep Britain in the EU single market after Brexit.
The SNP said the Labour leader was failing working families by snubbing the invitation to co-ordinate efforts with other parties to block Government moves to quit the single market.
Ian Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster, is due to meet with the leaders of the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party to discuss a common approach to the issue in the weeks ahead.
But in a letter to Blackford, Corbyn declined an offer to take part, saying the initiative was based on a 'flawed' assumption about the nature of the single market.
You may also want to watch:
Labour has repeatedly said it wants to secure a Brexit deal which retains the benefits of the single market and the customs union, but has stopped short of saying it would remain in the single market beyond a limited transition period after the UK leaves the EU in March 2019.
In his letter Corbyn said: 'Your proposed summit appears to be based on the flawed assumption that the single market is a membership club – it is not.
Most Read
- 1 Pro-Brexit fishing campaigner says Boris Johnson's deal has left her with 'no fish'
- 2 European parliament agrees to add British overseas territories to post-Brexit tax haven blacklist
- 3 Nigel Farage reminded of claim that 'acid test of Brexit' surrounds fishing after clip resurfaces
- 4 Telegraph columnist blames Angela Merkel for Brexit
- 5 Ed Miliband mocks Kwasi Kwarteng's 'road to Damascus conversion'
- 6 Brussels to launch campaign teaching younger Britons about the EU
- 7 Boris Johnson to visit Scotland this week in attempt to shore up the union
- 8 Piers Morgan causes hilarity with 'Priti Patel with a brain' jibe
- 9 Backlash over Tory MP receiving Covid-19 vaccine despite not being classed as vulnerable
- 10 SNP MP asks Priti Patel why she has not stood down following UK border comments
'We have consistently said that we are committed to negotiating to keep the benefits of the single market and securing the best possible deal for the whole of Britain, which protects our economy and the people of this country, whilst at the same time respecting the result of the referendum.'
However Blackford warned that unless opposition parties were able to prevent the Government leaving the single market and the customs union, it would take a 'wrecking ball' to the economy.
'With just over a year to go before the UK is set to leave the EU, it is now more important than ever that we have a united and effective opposition – holding the UK government to account, and doing everything within our power to prevent this Tory economic catastrophe,' he said.
'It is unbelievable – and frankly, utterly pathetic – that on the single biggest issue facing the country Jeremy Corbyn has failed to show any leadership whatsoever, and is now rejecting this crucial chance to build a cross-party coalition in the national interest.
'His absence from this meeting is deeply disappointing but it is not surprising given his absence from the EU referendum campaign and the national debate on Brexit ever since.'
A Labour party spokesman dismissed the cross-party meeting as 'little more than a political gimmick'.
'We will work with all parties to hold this Government to account every step of the way and achieve a jobs-first Brexit that puts living standards and the economy first,' the spokesman said.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
