May: EU ref No2 will take a year
DOWNING Street has insisted it would take a year to organise a second EU referendum.
The claim by Theresa May – an attempt to close off the option of a people’s vote on Brexit – came yesterday as the prospect of any real cross-party engagement on EU withdrawal faded fast.
Jeremy Corbyn accused May of proposing false negotiations in an effort to run down the clock to the March Brexit deadline and he instructed his MPs not to engage with May unless a no-deal Brexit was ruled out.
The Labour leader lashed out at the PM in a speech in Hastings, the constituency of Remain-supporting Amber Rudd.
Corbyn branded an attempt by May to build a compromise a “phoney”. He said: “Last night’s offer of talks with party leaders turned out to be simply a stunt, not the serious attempt to engage with the new reality that’s needed.
“No sooner had she said the words in Parliament than the Government confirmed she would not take no deal off the table.
“So I say to the Prime Minister again – I am quite happy to talk. But the starting point for any talks about Brexit must be the threat of a disastrous no deal outcome is ruled out.”
Nicola Sturgeon also pulled the SNP out of talks after an initial meeting between Ian Blackford and May changed nothing. The First Minister accused the PM of
“time BY TORCUIL CRICHTON wasting” with her appeal for talks with other parties.
After Scottish Secretary David Mundell said the SNP’s demand for another EU referendum was not an option, Sturgeon tweeted: “So everything is not on the table. PM’s offer of talks is a promise to listen but only if we all agree with her. The SNP won’t be complicit in more time wasting.
“Rule out no deal, be prepared to extend Article 50 and agree to at least consider another referendum – then we’ll talk.”
Senior politicians on all sides met Cabinet ministers to try to find a way forward on the issue and the PM will publish a new plan on Monday with a full debate and key vote pencilled in for Tuesday, January 29.
Lib Dem leader Vince Cable joined Plaid Cymru in telling Corbyn his MPs would not support any further no-confidence motions in the Government, after Labour suggested it could table more.
Labour figures also criticised the decision by Corbyn, with former PM Tony Blair and prominent backbencher Chuka Umunna urging the party leader to change tack.
Blair has said Corbyn was wrong to refuse to meet May to discuss the way forward on Brexit.
He said: “If the Prime Minister asks the Leader of the Opposition to come and talk, of course he should.”
The former PM added that Corbyn needed to clarify his stance on Brexit.