Jeremy Corbyn humiliated for Brexit fence-sitting ahead of the vote of No Confidence in Theresa May’s government
MPs in the House of Commons ridiculed Mr Corbyn calling him 'the Scarlet Pimpernel' of Brexit followed by Michael Gove attacking his character and record as the Labour leader
JEREMY Corbyn was lampooned over his general election bid after he admitted he doesn’t know whether Labour would back or oppose Brexit during it.
The Opposition Leader opened the debate on the confidence vote in the Government yesterday by insisting Theresa May “must go to the country”.
But within minutes, he was tackled on what his own offer to the nation would be on the crucial issue.
SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “If he’s successful in his motion this evening, there may be a general election in a few short weeks.
“In that Labour party manifesto, will they state whether they’ll be a party of Brexit or a part of Brexit? It’s a simple question, what is the answer?”
To cheers from Tory MPs as well, the Labour boss – whose party is deeply divided over whether to reverse Brexit - could only say: “We are a democratic party, and our party will decide what policy we fight the election on.”
The PM also leaped on Mr Corbyn’s stumble.
Accusing the Labour boss of mass confusion over his Brexit policy, the PM added: “This Government is aware of its position, which is to leave the European Union”.
Senior backbench Tory MP George Freeman also accused Mr Corbyn of being “the Scarlet Pimpernel” on Brexit - campaigning for Remain in the South but Leave in the North.
Later, wrapping up the six hour debate, Michael Gove mounted a withering assault on Jeremy Corbyn’s character from the Despatch Box, as well as a searing critique of his record as Labour leader.
The Environment Secretary rallied glum Tory backbenchers into a crescendo, accusing the Labour boss of failing to stand up for his MPs or the “proud traditions of the Labour party” and his failure to “stand up against fascism” saying being “present but not involved” summed him up.
Addressing Labour’s deputy Tom Watson, Mr Gove joked: “We have several things in common - we’ve both lost weight, him much more so. We’re both friends of Israel - him much more so.”
And to loud cheers from the Tory benches, he went one: “And we both recognise that Mr Corbyn is about he worst possible person to lead the Labour Party”.
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Mr Gove raged: “While we are standing up for national security, what about Mr Corbyn? He wants to leave Nato, he wants to get rid of our nuclear deterrent.
“And recently he said in a speech, why do countries boast about the size of their armies? That is quite wrong, why don’t we emulate Costa Rica, that has no army at all?
“No allies, no deterrent, no army, no way can this country ever allow that man to be our Prime Minister.”
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