Second EU referendum ‘highly unlikely’, says deputy leader
IT IS “highly unlikely” that the UK will stay in the single market or that Labour will back a second Brexit referendum, according to the party’s deputy leader, Tom Watson.
Senior Labour figures have pressed for the party to commit to membership of the single market and the customs union but Mr Watson expressed strong doubts that this will happen.
MPs Chris Bryant (Rhondda), Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth), Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) and former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain were among those calling for the commitment.
Mr Watson said: “I think it’s highly unlikely that a deal will encompass membership of the single market after that transition period but you can’t rule anything out when you’re in a negotiation.”
Mr Watson also played down the chances of a second referendum.
He said: “I think it’s unlikely there will be one. We want an exit from the EU, that was the decision of the referendum – that’s why we whipped Article 50.
“But you have to see how the negotiations go at the end of it. So, we’re not ruling it out but it’s highly unlikely.”
The party’s stance on Brexit is likely to generate further controversy as key legislation continues its journey through the House of Commons.
During the summer, former Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews blasted an article by Shadow International Trade Secretary which argued against staying in the European Economic Area (EEA) as “idiotic”, and he raised the possibility of Welsh Labour considering splitting from the UK party.
Mr Watson made the case for the party staying united, saying: “I think we should remain a UK party but devolve much more decision-making down to the regions and nations and actually down to local parties and that’s our approach to Government as well, by the way. The one thing we don’t want from Brexit is taking power back from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels and handing it to unelected bureaucrats in Whitehall – that would be the worst of all worlds.”
He described his “relief ” that Carwyn Jones is First Minister of Wales and praised the “sensible” approach to Government.
“It’s a great relief to me that he’s there to be honest because you know, in Wales, there’s just very solid, sensible decision-making,” he said. “He’s doing a great job.”
Mr Watson praised Mr Jones and his predecessor, Rhodri Morgan, for staying “in touch with the people”.
He said: “That’s what loses you elections, if you stop listening to people.”
Arguing that the UK party has to be ready for another snap election, he said: “I still think it’s unlikely there’ll be an early general election but you wouldn’t rule it out in the current political climate, would you? It’s distinctly possible...”