Say nothing ..do nothing
Spokesman Findlay says it’s still too early to decide on a strategy for quitting EU
SCOTTISH Labour’s new Brexit spokesman says Jeremy Corbyn should NOT take a fixed position on the UK’s future relationship with Europe until negotiations become “clear”.
Neil Findlay told the Record that he will make that point to the UK party leader when he visits London next week.
In his first interview on the new brief since taking the role, Findlay insisted his position is no fudge.
But it could alienate Remain voters who cling to the hope that Labour will eventually come out against Brexit.
Findlay said Tory-led talks on leaving the EU have been a shambles but it would be wrong to pin colours to the mast now.
He hopes the terms will eventually be defined in a general election, when he admits Labour will need to have a clear view.
Until then, Findlay says, voters should give the party room to adapt to changing surroundings.
He said: “Taking a fixed position on that for any party is a difficult thing to do.
“No one knows where these chaotic negotiations can end up.
“We have to keep an open mind about how we protect people’s jobs and livelihoods over the period.
“There’s not 50 shades of grey in this, there’s 100,000 shades of grey in this. Negotiations will ebb and flow.
“There are so many issues to be discussed and so many hurdles coming up. If you take a fixed position now, it will inevitably change.”
Labour have been under intense pressure to give clear answers on whether the UK should be in the single market and customs union.
Corbyn is dealing with backbench rebellion from MPs trying to firm up an anti-Brexit position.
Findlay travels to London next Tuesday to meet key figures. He has already met Labour MEPs Catherine Stihler and David Martin as he finds his feet in the new role under Scottish party leader Richard Leonard.
A discussion with UK Labour’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer was arranged but a debate in the House of Commons on the EU could change the plan.
Starmer has been credited with trying to nudge Corbyn further towards staying in the single market. He also argues for a twoyear transition period after Britain formally quits next year.
Former teacher and housing officer Findlay, a long-time Corbyn ally in Scotland, said the starting point should be protecting jobs, the economy, consumer and environmental rights.
Looking ahead to his plans for Tuesday’s meetings, he said: “I’d like to say to them that we don’t get into taking a fixed position at this time because it’s going to be a hugely fluid situation.
“Nailing our colours to one mast very early on, when the circumstances can change dramatically in a short period of time, would be a mistake.
“Most of the parties’ positions have changed as circumstances have changed. That’s going to continue right up to Brexit day.”
A recent poll suggested a quarter of Labour voters might switch allegiance over the EU position. Half of their voters backed Remain, surveys say.
Despite refusing to be drawn on staying in the single market, Findlay said the prospect of a “no deal” Brexit would be “disastrous”.
He added: “Ultimately this will go to the Commons and if that is the situation, it would be unlikely to pass. It would then be a general election and that can’t come quick enough.
“We’re a long way from that – I’m being deliberately cautious. There will be issues that come out of this, but we don’t know what they will be until the Prime Minister comes out with it.
“It’s so chaotic, it’s so unclear. To be taking a position now, you’d be changing your position tomorrow.
“That’s not fudging it, it’s not avoiding an answer, it’s being pragmatic.”