Corbyn’s Brexit plan praised and panned

British politicians and the media were divided after a speech by Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on Monday in which he said the United Kingdom should remain in the customs union after it leaves the European Union.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that would make Britain a colony of the EU. And the BBC reported International Trade Secretary Liam Fox as describing the idea as a “complete sellout”.

But others, particularly from the business community, were delighted.

Corbyn said in his speech that Labour, Britain’s official opposition, wants a new comprehensive UK-EU customs union that means there are no tariffs with Europe and there is no hard border between the UK and Ireland, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Experts believe the UK would have to accept the continued free movement of people across the EU if it is to remain in such a customs union, something Prime Minister Theresa May has consistently rejected.

Johnson reacted to Corbyn’s speech with dismay.

“Crumbling Corbyn betrays Leave voters, and all because he wants to win a commons vote. Cynical and deluded,” Xinhua quoted him as saying, noting he said it would prevent Britain seeking free-trade deals with other countries, such as China.

Fox said: “Labour’s confused policy would be bad for jobs and wages, it would leave us unable to sign up to comprehensive free-trade deals, and it doesn’t respect the result of the referendum. This is another broken promise by Labour.”

But the left-leaning Guardian newspaper welcomed Corbyn setting out Labour’s position after months of avoiding the issue.

“… Today’s speech was wellcrafted and substantial, and could potentially have a decisive impact on UK Brexit policy,” said a commentary in the paper.

Unlikely bedfellows

And several representatives of Britain’s business community, unlikely bedfellows of the Labour Party, welcomed Corbyn’s aspiration to stay in the customs union.

Carolyn Fairbairn, directorgeneral of the Confederation of British Industry, said it would put jobs and living standards first.

“It will help grow trade without accepting freedom of movement or payments to the EU,” Fairbairn said.

Xinhua reported Stephen Martin, director-general of the Institute of Directors, as saying that manufacturers would be delighted to remain in the customs union.

Downing Street refused to be drawn into a slanging match. A spokesperson for Theresa May said: “The government will not be joining a customs union. We want to have the freedom to sign our own trade deals and reach out to the world.”

May is expected to have her say on Friday when she makes a keynote Brexit speech.