LABOUR IN MELTDOWN
Humiliation for Corbyn as he axes three shadow ministers after 49 of his MPs rebel over Brexit vote
LABOUR’s Brexit policy was exposed as a shambles last night as the party’s divisions were laid bare.
Jeremy Corbyn was forced to sack three shadow ministers after they defied his orders not to back a ‘soft’ Brexit.
The Labour leader has been accused of cynically trying to face both ways on Europe. He is desperate to keep the support of both the party’s Brexit-backing Northern heartlands and pro-Remain cities such as London.
But he suffered a humiliating rebellion yesterday as nearly 50 Labour MPs – a fifth of his party – supported an amendment to the Queen’s Speech calling for Britain to remain in the EU single market and the customs union.
Shadow ministers Andy Slaughter, Ruth Cadbury and Catherine West were fired for joining the revolt. Shadow transport minister Daniel Zeichner quit before the vote.
Commons Speaker John Bercow created trouble for Mr Corbyn by selecting the amendment, which was tabled by Labour’s former shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna.
Mr Corbyn, who has committed to leaving the single market but says he wants to keep all of its ‘benefits’, ordered his MPs to abstain.
But 49 Labour MPs backed the amendment,
revealing deep divisions in the party. The rebels were joined by 34 SNP MPs, all 12 Liberal Democrats, the four Plaid Cymru MPs, the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas and Independent Lady Hermon, but the amendment was defeated 322-101.
Tory MP James Cleverly said: ‘Labour are in total chaos – there is deep division at the heart of the Labour Party on the most crucial issue facing the country today.
‘They still can’t agree on the fundamentals and would get the worst Brexit deal at the highest price. While Jeremy Corbyn’s chaotic team bicker over their position on Brexit, we’re getting on with the job of government – delivering on the will of the Brit- ish people and building a stronger economy so we can improve people’s living standards and fund public services.’
The vote appears to contradict claims that there is no majority in the House of Commons in favour of leaving the single market and customs union.
Mr Umunna called on the Government to ‘get real’ about Brexit as he urged ministers to stay inside the European single market.
But closing the Queen’s Speech debate, Business Secretary Greg Clark criticised him, saying: ‘ He wants a good deal from Brexit with a parliamentary vote that involves transitional arrangements, respects the devolved administrations, and protects rights – so do I.
‘But when he adds to that this membership of the single market does he not recall that only three weeks ago he was running on a programme promising to leave it. That’s quite a big thing to forget, Mr Speaker – a bit like forgetting that he hasn’t got confidence in the Leader of the Opposition.’
Mr Corbyn last night bizarrely claimed it was the Tories who were divided on the issue, saying: ‘The Conservatives are all over the place on Brexit.’
Cambridge MP Mr Zeichner – whose departure will force the Labour leader into yet another reshuffle – said it showed that Mr Corbyn was ready to take the party back into power. He added: ‘It shows the Labour frontbench is very serious about returning to power. In the past people with my views have been tolerated, but today it was very clear that any diversion from the published line would not be tolerated.’
Labour’s official position is that Britain will leave the single market.
The party’s Brexit Secretary, Sir Keir Starmer, this month accepted that you cannot have membership of the single market unless you are in the EU. He said: ‘Our manifesto is clear. We want to retain the benefits of the single market and the customs union.’ Shadow chancellor John McDonnell added: ‘I think people will interpret membership of the single market as not respecting that referendum.’
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson denounced ‘unhelpful’ Mr Umunna for tabling the amendment, adding: ‘His amendment forced people to take a position on the single market earlier than we needed to.’
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage tweeted: ‘Corbyn showing his true Brexit colours. He’s almost a proper chap.’