In or out of the single market?

Labour’s shifting stance

LABOUR MANIFESTO, MAY 16

“We will scrap the Conservatives’ Brexit White Paper and replace it with fresh negotiating priorities that have a strong emphasis on retaining the benefits of the single market and the customs union.”

JEREMY CORBYN, LABOUR LEADER, JUNE 11:

“The single market is a requirement of EU membership and, since we won’t be EU members, there will have to be an arrangement made.”

JOHN MCDONNELL, SHADOW CHANCELLOR, JUNE 11:

“I think people will interpret membership of

SIR KEIR STARMER, SHADOW BREXIT SECRETARY, JUNE 12:

“It seems to me that [single market membership] would be a good place to start discussions, start negotiations, rather than simply taking it off the table.”

BARRY GARDINER, SHADOW TRADE SECRETARY, JUNE 12:

“What we’ve said is that we need those benefits [of the single market]. Whether they’re achieved through reformed membership of the single market and the customs union, or a new arrangement, is actually secondary.”