Call that election, Corbyn tells May
LONDON: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday challenged British Prime Minister Theresa May to go to the people, saying only an election can resolve the impasse over her Brexit deal.
The government was defeated on two amendments on Tuesday and Wednesday that curb its powers in the Brexit process, prompting charges that May is in office, but not in power. The crucial vote on the withdrawal agreement is due to be held on Tuesday, but opposition to May’s agreement continues from pro and antibrexit elements.
The Democratic Unionist Party, which is propping up the minority May government, said, “We told Theresa May to stop wasting time last November. She is still not listening and she is going to put a plan to Parliament that is dead.”
Continuing the balancing act to assuage Labour’s pro and antibrexit supporters, Corbyn told May in a speech in Wakefield, west Yorkshire, “If you are so confident in your deal, call that election and let the people decide.”
He remained non-committal on tabling a no-confidence motion in the May government if it loses Tuesday’s vote, on the ground that Labour did not have the strength in the House of Commons to bring it down. However, he said it would be tabled at a time of its choosing, when chances of its success are better. Labour does not favour a second referendum on the UK membership of the European Union. Instead, Corbyn wants to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement with Brussels after forming the government after winning an election. Some in Labour are disappointed at Corbyn for not insisting on a second referendum.
Corbyn reiterated his call for election “at the earliest opportunity” to “break the deadlock” over Brexit, adding that a new government would have the fresh mandate to negotiate a better withdrawal deal with the EU.
But if Labour is unable to force a midterm election, Corbyn said all options were “on the table, including the option of campaigning for a public vote”.