Labour needs Brexit clarity

Corbyn must set out policy

LABOUR BEGAN its annual conference yesterday with every reason to be in good spirits.

A much better than expected showing in the general election, a leader enjoying high personal popularity ratings and a divided Government all combine to give the party a sense of optimism about its prospects of winning if the country once again goes to the polls in the coming months. Yet behind the rapturous reception accorded to Jeremy Corbyn by activists in Brighton lie some searching questions for Labour about Brexit, the subject which is inevitably dominating the political landscape.

There is plainly a rift between Mr Corbyn and some of his colleagues over what the party’s policy should be. Whilst he effectively launched the conference with an interview in which he expressed reservations about Britain remaining in the single market, 30 senior Labour figures published an open letter calling for continued membership of both that and the customs union. The only conclusion to be drawn from this is that Labour’s policy on the shape of the deal Britain does on withdrawal from the EU is no more settled than that of the Government.

The Government’s continuing difficulties over the issue were also underlined by reports of plotting by senior ministers to remove Theresa May and Brexit Secretary David Davis having to deny that Britain faces a £40bn “divorce bill” from the EU.

Voters now need clarity from both Government and Opposition alike on what their respective stances on Brexit are. At his conference, Mr Corbyn has the ideal opportunity to set out Labour’s position and capitalise on both his own popularity and the political advantage of facing a weakened Prime Minister.

Only then can voters decide in whom to place their trust to get the best Brexit deal for Britain whenever the next election is held.