How the party has backtracked

APRIL 23

Jeremy Corbyn told the BBC: ‘The single market is intrinsic to EU membership.’

JUNE 11

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told ITV: ‘Let’s be clear: we are respecting the decision of the referendum. We are democrats. I think people will interpret membership of the single market as not respecting that referendum.’

JUNE 18

Labour Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC: ‘We want to retain the benefits of the single market and the customs union. Formal membership, full membership is only available to EU member states.’

JUNE 29

Three shadow ministers were sacked by Mr Corbyn and a fourth resigned after they and 45 other Labour MPs defied the party and backed a Queen’s Speech amendment calling for Britain to remain in the single market and customs union.

JULY 6

The Labour leader told Bloomberg: ‘The single market is a concept that requires membership of the European Union.’

JULY 23

Mr Corbyn told the BBC: ‘The single market is dependent on membership of the EU. The two things are inextricably linked.’