Labour urged to offer single market clarity
THE SNP has called on Scottish Labour to confirm their position on the single market after the Welsh First Minister appeared to contradict comments made by UK party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Carwyn Jones said there is no need to leave the single market on leaving the European Union (EU) and access could be maintained through a Norway-style model.
He said: “If we were not in the single market, we would be having a debate about how to access it, not how to leave it. There is no need to leave the single market, even as we leave the EU.”
His comments come a day after Mr Corbyn said the UK must leave the single market as it is “inextricably” linked with EU membership and said following Brexit there would no longer be the “wholesale importation of underpaid workers from central Europe in order to destroy conditions, particularly in the construction industry”.
Before the formal process of leaving the EU was triggered, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May setting out a list of requirements including retaining access to the single market, which consists of all EU coun- tries as well as non-EU countries Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, as well as freedom of movement.
SNP MSP Joan McAlpine said Labour is “deeply divided” on the single market issue.
She said: “Many people within the Labour Party will no doubt be embarrassed that their leader has made such deeply irresponsible remarks on immigration – and they will be perplexed that he seems unaware of the distinction between single-market membership and EU membership.
“It is not only entirely possible for the UK to remain a member of the single market even after Brexit, it is absolutely essential to do so to protect thousands of jobs and our living standards.
“Kezia Dugdale used to say that Scottish Labour were ‘absolutely committed’ to retaining our single-market membership.
“It’s time for her to explain whether she backs her colleague Carwyn Jones – or whether she’ll follow Jeremy Corbyn’s lead and dance to Ukip’s tune.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Kezia Dugdale and Jeremy Corbyn have been clear that Labour supports a jobs-first Brexit.
“As Kez has repeatedly said, we support tariff-free access to the single market for the UK. Jobs, the economy and retaining the benefits of the single market and the customs union are our priority.
“Labour will always put jobs and the economy first and it’s deeply disappointing that the SNP would rather pick a fight with Labour than join us in challenging the Tories.”