Deluded Corbyn would make us an EU colony, warns Boris
BRITAIN would be turned into a “colony” of the EU under Jeremy Corbyn’s plans for Brexit, Boris Johnson warned last night.
In a stinging attack, the Foreign Secretary accused the hard-Left Labour leader of a “cynical and deluded” plot to keep the UK tied to Brussels forever, following his policy U-turn over membership of the bloc’s customs union.
He also claimed the opposition leader had raised a “white flag” in Brexit negotiations in an attempt to defeat the Government in a forthcoming vote.
“Crumbling Corbyn betrays Leave voters – and all because he wants to win a Commons vote – cynical and deluded,” Mr Johnson wrote on Twitter.
“Corbyn’s Brexit plan would leave UK a colony of the EU – unable to take back control of our borders or our trade policy. White flag from Labour before talks even begin.”
Mr Johnson’s broadside followed a speech from Mr Corbyn setting out Labour’s alternative Brexit blueprint.
Speaking to an audience in Coventry, the Labour leader committed his party to campaigning for Britain to stay in a customs union with Brussels.
He said: “Labour would seek a final deal that gives full access to European markets and maintains the benefits of the single market and the customs union. We have long argued that a customs union is a viable option for the final deal.
“So Labour would seek to negotiate a new comprehensive UK-EU customs union to ensure that there are no tariffs with Europe and to help avoid any need for a hard border in Northern Ireland.”
He went on to claim Britain could still have “a say” in future trade deals despite being in a customs union.
“A new customs arrangement would depend on Britain being able to negotiate agreement of new trade deals in our national interest,” Mr Corbyn said.
His position was calculated to appeal to Tory rebels hoping to inflict a Commons defeat on the Government in a vote on customs union membership.
Around 30 Tory MPs have indicated they could back an amendment to the Government’s Trade Bill tabled by former Conservative minister Anna Soubry backing customs union membership.
Other ministers and Brexit campaigners last night joined Mr Johnson in savaging Mr Corbyn’s latest pledge.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “This is another broken promise by Labour. Only the Conservatives are getting on with delivering what British people voted for – taking back control of our laws, borders and money.”
John Longworth of the Brexit-backing pressure group
SCOTLAND AND WALES SNUB POWER-SHARING OFFER
SCOTTISH and Welsh leaders yesterday dismissed an offer from the UK Government on future power-sharing after Brexit.
Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington urged them to accept a plan he proposed last week.
Under the plan, the “vast majority” of EU powers returning to Britain would go straight to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, while future arrangements are finalised.
Theresa May’s Government has faced accusations, particularly in Scotland and Wales, that it will use Brexit to mount a “power grab” of powers currently wielded by the EU. There are fears Leave Means Leave said: “This move suggests the Labour Party are willing to put cynical political manoeuvres ahead of what is in the best interests of their own core voters.”
Mark Littlewood, director general at free-market think tank Institute of Economic Affairs, said: “Remaining in a customs union makes it almost impossible for the UK to make the most of Brexit, specifically helping the poorest in society by cutting tariffs on products from the rest of the world.
“It would prevent the UK reducing barriers to trade, whether by signing new deals or simply lowering these barriers unilaterally.”
The DUP last night pledged to back the Government in the Commons vote.
DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: “Corbyn is hoping to capitalise on opposition to leaving the EU from the few malcontents in the Conservative Party.” first with the devolved governments while longer-term decisions are made.
The SNP’s Mike Russell, Brexit minister in the Scottish Government, dismissed Mr Lidington’s offer, saying: “However they try to dress this up, the UK Government is using Brexit to try to take control of devolved powers without the agreement of the Scottish Parliament.”
And Labour’s First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said: “We need progress that goes beyond warm words.
“I hope the ‘very big changes’ equate to sensible amendments to the Bill, which respect devolution.”