SDLP leader Eastwood in plea to Corbyn over the dangers of hard Brexit to peace
THE potentially dire consequences of a hard Brexit have been spelled out in a letter from the SDLP to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Urging Mr Corbyn to back full access to and full alignment with the single market and customs union, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also outlined the chance the peace process could be destabilised. He said: “My message to Mr Corbyn is simple: protect that positive Labour legacy rather than allowing a hard Brexit to destroy it.”
The majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to stay within the EU during the 2016 referendum.
Mr Eastwood’s letter stated: “As you know, your party invested huge amounts of effort and time in helping to secure the peace process through the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
“Brexit threatens all that was achieved in that historic accommodation; it threatens the great positivity of that Labour legacy.
“Those institutions are currently experiencing severe strain, the imposition of a hard Brexit carries with it the potential to dismantle the architecture of our peace process.”
Mr Eastwood also called for Mr Corbyn to show leadership.
“Many of us in Ireland have been greatly encouraged by the evolving position your party has adopted since the Brexit referendum result.
“Having come this far, I would urge you to take the next progressive step and advocate continued access to the European single market and customs union.”