Corbyn rules out new referendum on Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out a second referendum on Brexit amid fresh calls for a new poll.

The Labour leader also appeared to distance himself from the so-called “Norway model” of remaining in the European single market outside the EU.

He highlighted the importance of influencing regulations in trade deals, adding that Norway had no ability to influence those in the single market.

A significant amount of Labour MPS and members support the UK staying in the single market as well as a second Brexit referendum.

A Guardian/icm poll last week found 65 per cent of Labour backers want the public to have the final say on leaving once negotiations are complete, compared with 19 per cent who oppose the idea.

When pressed on BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show, the Labour leader said: “We’re not asking for a second referendum.”

Asked directly “and you’re not going to?” he replied: “No.”

Norway is part of the Euro- 0 Jeremy Corbyn: backs away from ‘Norway model’ pean Free Trade Association, which operates alongside the European Union and participates in the single market.

Mr Corbyn said Norway’s model was not an exact one, adding: “Norway accepts all the rules of the single market, doesn’t have any ability to influence them whatsoever, and is a rather different economy to ours, because it’s heavily dependent on mainly oil. We’re not.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable said: “As has long been suspected, Labour’s leadership is moving closer and closer to the Conservatives’ hard Brexit, which would damage the economy and cost jobs.”