Jeremy Corbyn’s leftwing pressure group Momentum to mount fresh campaign against EU free movement restrictions
The die hard Jeremy Corbyn supporters already feel existing free movement rules are too restrictive
JEREMY Corbyn’s leftwing pressure group Momentum is mounting a fresh campaign to boost EU migrants’ rights to come to Britain.
Despite the landmark Brexit vote to limit new arrivals, the Labour leader’s followers say even the current freedom of movement rules are too restrictive.
A Momentum conference passed a motion earlier this month to try to force the whole party to “defend and extend” the founding EU principle during Brexit negotiations.
In a follow-up formal letter to Mr Corbyn, the group also called on Labour to “resist the growing pressure to cave in on freedom of movement and migrants’ rights”.
Momentum added: “The social problems we face are not caused by migrants but by austerity and capitalist attacks on the working class”.
The debate over what to do about the free movement principle after Britain quits the EU has split the Labour party down the middle.
Mr Corbyn and close ally shadow home secretary Diane Abbott insist it must continue.
But moderate Labour MPs are demanding the party now backs tough new controls.
Momentum’s declarations sparked accusations by Tory MPs last night that Labour is “out of touch with ordinary working people”.
Ex-justice minister Dominic Raab added: “The British people voted to leave the European Union and for controls over immigration.
“While Corbyn and his hard-left cronies work up a policy of increased immigration, the Conservatives are getting on with the job of delivering what the British people voted for and building a country that works for everyone.”
Another Corbyn ally, left-wing film-maker Ken Loach, branded Labour MPs who oppose the Opposition boss a “bunch of political losers” yesterday.
In a letter to The Guardian, Mr Loach criticised MPs he said should be labelled right-wing rather than moderate.
He wrote: “Any disarray or disunity in the party is the responsibility of those MPs. They attack Corbyn and John McDonnell day after day, refusing to promote party policy on jobs, housing, transport or the NHS, the core concerns of those they should represent.
“They offer no support, in parliament or outside. Worst of all, they show contempt for the hundreds of thousands of new members, mainly Corbyn supporters, who have made Labour the largest political party in Europe.
“This bunch of political losers are intent on the destruction of a Labour Party they cannot control.”