Labour: We will vote against May’s Brexit
Thornberry says deal fails party’s six tests
LABOUR will vote against Theresa May’s Brexit deal, Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry signalled yesterday.
She said she “can’t see” a situation where it would meet Labour’s six tests that would lead to the party’s support.
She also predicted a general election this autumn or next spring, suggesting the vote would topple Theresa May as PM.
Thornberry spoke out as May’s Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab spoke by phone with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier.
Raab, desperate to paint a glowing picture, said afterwards: “While there remain some substantive differences, our teams are closing in on workable solutions to the outstanding issues in the agreement.”
Ministers plan a crunch Commons vote on a deal before Christmas, if Britain seals an EU pact but Thornberry takes a dim view of the deal, along with many Brexiteers and Remainers.
She said: “I can’t see them coming back with a deal that is going to meet our six tests.
“I can’t see them coming back with a deal that will unite the Tory party, for heaven’s sake.”
She added: “Even if they come back in October, November, and they say, ‘This flimsy bit of paper is what you’re going to have to agree to, otherwise there’ll be no deal.’ We’re not going to agree to either of those.”
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer announced Labour’s six tests for a deal in March. They are:
● Does it ensure a strong and collaborative future relationship with the EU?
● Does it deliver the “exact same benefits” as we currently have as members of the single market and customs union?
● Does it ensure the fair management of migration in the interests of the economy and communities?
● Does it defend rights and protections and prevent a race to the bottom?
● Does it protect national security and our capacity to tackle cross-border crime?
● Does it deliver for all regions and nations of the UK?
Pro-EU campaigners yesterday ramped up demands for another EU vote, focusing on what they say is rising support among health workers.
A People’s Vote campaign survey shows a 19 per cent surge for Remain among doctors, nurses and carers, compared with the 2016 referendum.
In the event of no deal with the EU, 57 per cent of health staff back a second referendum, compared with 16 per cent who want the decision left to MPs.
The online poll of 649 NHS workers comes as 7868 NHS staff signed a letter demanding a so-called “people’s vote” on any final Brexit deal.
Remainers will hold a protest in central London today calling for a second referendum.
NHS Against Brexit founder Dr Mike Galsworthy will tell the demonstration: “The pace is quickening now, as more and more NHS and health professionals are raising the alarm about Brexit.”
Meanwhile, campaigners won a High Court challenge against the Electoral Commission over Vote Leave EU referendum spending.