Labour accused of deliberately trying to sabotage Brexit talks by changing policy on eve of crunch meetings
Jeremy Corbyn has adopted 'soft Brexit' as Labour policy - pledging to keep Britain in the single market and continue uncontrolled immigration for at least four more years
LABOUR was accused of deliberately trying to sabotage Brexit negotiations by dramatically changing its policy on the eve of the crucial third-round of talks with Brussels.
Shadow Brexit Secretary announced that Labour had adopted “soft Brexit” as party policy - pledging to keep Britain in the single market and continue uncontrolled immigration for at least four more years.
But just hours later Jeremy Corbyn plunged the new position into chaos by admitting he had no idea how long the interim phase would last - meaning freedom of movement could carry on indefinitely
It would also mean no end to our soaring contribution to the EU’s budget and European judges would remain supreme over UK courts.
Sir Keir said a Labour government would also keep Britain in the customs union for a transitional period - barring ministers from signing new trade deals with countries like the US.
But asked how long the transitional period for the single market and customs union would last, Mr Corbyn admitted: “I don't know what the length of it would be, I think we should simply say as long as it's necessary.”
Sir Keir said a Labour government would even consider keeping Britain permanently in the single market and customs union if it can persuade the EU to reform freedom of movement rules - a something David Cameron failed to achieve despite months of negotiations.
The Government accused Labour of trying to “kick the can down the road” with its “weak” new policy.
The Lib Dems and SNP urged Labour to match their commitment to staying in the single market indefinitely - and fears emerged that its major policy shift would persuade pro-Remain Tory MPs to force the Government to back a softer Brexit.
Furious Eurosceptic Tory MPs blasted Labour for the timing of its Brexit U-turn - claiming it weakens David Davis’ hand as he prepares to meet EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels today for a week of crucial talks.
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And they also pointed out the unhelpful timing of Tony Blair’s meeting with EU president Jean-Claude Juncker on Thursday - which clashes with Mr Davis’ key press conference with Mr Barnier.
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “Just as David Davis goes into battle for Britain, Her Majesty less-than loyal opposition deliberately seek to undermine our national negotiating position. And at the same time, Tony Blair is going to be advising the other side.
“Labour stood on a Eurosceptic platform of respecting the referendum result, leaving the single market and leaving the customs union .
“I hope the electorate have a long memory of this betrayal of democracy.”
A Tory spokesman said: “The truth is Labour have no idea what they want and this is a weak attempt to kick the can down the road.
"Their leader can’t say they would end unlimited freedom of movement, they can’t decide whether we are leaving the single market and they have no vision for what Britain should look like outside the EU.
“This week we will be heading out to negotiate a deal with the EU that avoids unnecessary disruption to people and businesses, and allows the UK to grasp the opportunities of Brexit. Labour are still arguing from the sidelines.”
Mr Davis will ignore the Bank Holiday on Monday to travel to Brussels - and will tell his EU counterparts to show more “flexibility and imagination” to break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations.
The Brexit Secretary is frustrated at the insistence of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier that progress must be made on fixing the UK’s “divorce” bill before moving on to talks on future trade. He believes a series of papers produced by his Department for Exiting the EU over the past fortnight have proved that the two issues are inextricably linked.
He will also tell Mr Barnier that the EU must prove the basis for its demands for a £80 billion divorce bill.
A briefing war between the two sides has broken out ahead of today’s talks but Mr Davis will reiterate his call for the EU to work towards a divorce deal that works in the best interests of both the EU and the UK.
The British delegation will aim to make progress on the technical difficulties of the Irish border, EU citizens rights and customs checks.
Mr Davis will tell Mr Barnier: “Our goal remains the same. We want to agree a deal that works in the best interests of both the EU and the UK, and people and businesses right across Europe.
“And we’re ready to roll up our sleeves and get down to work once more.”