Corbyn hardens Labour’s Brexit policy by pledging new EU customs deal

● Leader says he would ‘negotiate new relationship with single market’ as 80 senior members call for him to deliver soft Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn will confirm his support for staying in a customs union with the EU and building a “new and strong relationship with the single market” in a speech bringing Labour’s Brexit policy into focus.

The opposition leader will say that “leaving the EU does not inevitably spell doom for our country”, recommitting his party to delivering Brexit while drawing clear dividing lines between Labour and the Conservatives that will put the Prime Minister Theresa May under new pressure.

Yesterday Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, said it was “crunch time” for the Prime Minister on the issue of a customs union, and said it would be “better” for the UK to reach “bold” new trade agreements with other countries by working with the European Union, rather than striking out with an independent trade policy.

Mr Starmer signalled support for cross-party amendments to the Trade Bill put forward by Tory rebel Anna Soubry, who has warned that she has enough support to force the government to form a customs union with Brussels after Brexit.

Speaking in Coventry today, Mr Corbyn will say: “Labour would negotiate a new and strong relationship with the single market that includes full tariff-free access and a floor under existing rights, standards and protections.

“That new relationship would need to ensure we can deliver our ambitious economic programme, take the essential steps to upgrade and transform our economy, and build an economy for the 21st century that works for the many, not the few.”

However, pushing back against critics calling for him to go further and embrace full membership of the single market, Mr Corbyn will add: “We would also seek to negotiate protections, clarifications or exemptions where necessary, in relation to privatisation and public service competition directives, state aid and procurement rules and the posted workers directive.

“We cannot be held back, inside or outside the EU, from taking the steps we need to support cutting-edge industries and local business, stop the tide of privatisation and outsourcing or prevent employers being able to import cheap agency labour from abroad to undercut existing pay and conditions.”

In an open letter, 80 senior Labour figures yesterday called for Mr Corbyn to deliver a soft Brexit. The letter’s signatories included Frank Mcaveety and Cammy Day, the party’s group leaders in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The Scotsman’s sister paper, Scotland on Sunday, also revealed yesterday that ten of Scotland’s 73 local parties are mounting a bid to force Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard to adopt a pro-single market stance.

Writing in Scotland on Sunday, Scottish Labour’s most senior MP, Ian Murray, warned both leaders the party would “never be forgiven” if didn’t fight for a soft Brexit.

Mr Starmer said Labour had “long championed being in a customs union with the EU and the benefits”.

Speaking on the BBC’S Andrew Marr Show, Mr Starmer said most MPS wanted Britain to stay in the customs union “and the majority in Parliament needs to

0 Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s Brexit spokesman, told the BBC’S Andrew