CORBYN ‘DOESN’T BELIEVE IN BREXIT’

Theresa condemns his lack of patriotism as he warns he’ll take any EU deal he can get

THERESA May questioned Jeremy Corbyn’s patriotism yesterday as the two leaders clashed furiously over their strategy for Brexit.

In an upbeat assessment of Britain’s prospects outside the EU, the Prime Minister said the UK’s ‘best days lie ahead’ – but she warned that Mr Corbyn would wreck hopes of a good Brexit deal as he ‘doesn’t believe in’ Brexit or Britain.

The Labour leader later confirmed his soft approach to Brexit, saying that there were no circumstances in which he would take Britain out of the European Union without a deal.

Mr Corbyn has faced repeated questions about his patriotism after previously refusing to sing the national anthem and voicing sympathy for the IRA during the Northern Ireland Troubles.

Mrs May yesterday said this would make it impossible for him to protect Britain’s interests in the Brexit talks – which are due to begin 11 days after the election – and should disqualify him from high office.

In a campaign speech in Teesside, she said: ‘ You can only deliver Brexit if you believe in Brexit. You can only fight for Britain if you believe in Britain.

‘What we know in this election is that the only other person who can be prime minister in seven days’ time is simply not up to the job.

‘He doesn’t believe in Britain. He doesn’t have a plan. He doesn’t have what it takes.’

Mrs May, who has been accused of fighting a downbeat campaign, yesterday struck a positive tone on Brexit, saying it had the potential to make the UK ‘a stronger, more secure and prosperous nation’.

The Prime Minister said the vote to leave the EU had placed Britain at a ‘great national moment’ requiring a ‘great national effort in which we all pull together with a unity of purpose’.

In a swipe at those in Labour who argue Brexit will be a disaster, she added: ‘ At moments like these – great turning points in our national story – the choices we make define the character of our nation.

‘We can choose to say the task ahead is too great. We can choose to turn our face to the past and believe it can’t be done. Or we can look forward with optimism and hope – and to believe in the enduring power of the British spirit.

‘I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead.’

Mrs May said Brexit would give Britain the ability to ‘ control and reduce immigration’, as well as reestablishing its status as a ‘great, global trading nation’. She said preliminary trade talks had already begun with Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Brazil and the United States, and that several Gulf states were interested in ‘striking trade deals with us as soon as we can’.

But she also pledged to use the opportunity to reshape the UK as a ‘great meritocracy’, including the establishment of new grammar schools and the introduction of improved vocational training.

She warned that Labour’s hightax approach would wreck the economy, saying: ‘If you can’t manage your money properly, investment will dry up, taxes will rise and businesses – and the jobs they provide – will flee from our shores.’

Mr Corbyn, who has said little about Brexit during the campaign, yesterday tried to convince voters he is serious about taking Britain out of the EU.

But speaking in Basildon, Essex, he raised fresh doubts about his approach by confirming he would not be prepared to walk away if Brussels tries to punish Britain.

He said: ‘Theresa May says no deal is better than a bad deal.

‘Let’s be clear – no deal is in fact a bad deal. It is the worst of all deals, because it would leave us with World Trade Organisation tariffs and restrictions instead of the access to European markets we need.’

He insisted he accepted the referendum result but said he would not make control of the UK’s borders his priority in the negotiations.

Mr Corbyn’s comments suggest that Labour would be willing to accept a punitive deal from Brussels – or even keep Britain in the EU indefinitely.

Tory candidate James Cleverly said: ‘Labour’s position is that even if the EU demand massive sums of money, open borders and restriction of our right to strike trade deals with other countries, they would take it.’

‘I believe our best days lie ahead’