Fresh blow for Jeremy Corbyn as Brussels blasts his Brexit plan as ‘delusional’
JEREMY Corbyn suffered a major blow as Brussels blasted his “delusional” plan to renegotiate Boris Johnson’s deal and secure a say over EU trade talks.
EU officials and diplomats told The Sun that Labour’s bid to rip up the rules of the Customs Union so the UK can negotiate FTAs “in conjunction” with the bloc would meet fierce opposition.
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They said rewriting the PM’s deal to “adopt a UK mandate with higher ambition”, such as alignment on workers’ rights and the environment, would be “easy” to achieve within three months.
But one EU source warned: “Less straightforward is what the UK may ask on EU trade policy. The first thing would be a UK request for an extension, with a justification for that.”
Another added that Mr Corbyn’s strategy was “not credible” and “as delusional” as Boris Johnson’s pledge to negotiate a trade deal before the end of December 2020.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer said the Customs Union would have to be “reconfigured” because currently it only allows Member States to set the EU’s negotiating mandates for FTAs.
You can’t have a customs union and still expect some leeway to enter into deals with third countries. It’s impossible.
EU diplomat
He said this “one and 27” setup would allow Britain to benefit from Brussels’ clout and that the two sides would do deals with the rest of the world “together”.
EU diplomats warned there was “not much” the bloc could do to involve Britain in shaping its trade policy other than drawing up a “consultation” role.
One said: “You can’t have a customs union and still expect some leeway to enter into deals with third countries. It’s impossible.”
But another added: “The UK, with such an important market, would be in a position to claim a substantial role on those deals that directly affect it.”
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Mr Corbyn defended the policy yesterday, insisting that his party can negotiate a brand new agreement with the bloc in less than three months.
He said: “Keir and I have spent many, many hours in Brussels and other European capitals. We wouldn’t be saying this if we didn’t think it was realistic and do-able.”
Sir Keir also dismayed Brussels by immediately announcing Labour would campaign against any deal it secures in a second referendum.
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