Call for clarity on single market stance

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 told the BBC: “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 0 Carwyn Jones: ‘No need to leave single market’ 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 countries as well as noneu 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.”