Corbyn speech marred by splits and blunders

‘Tariff-free access to the single market’

A KEYNOTE speech by Jeremy Corbyn at Scottish Labour’s conference yesterday was overshadowed by a series of damaging splits and humiliating gaffes.

The Labour leader used his speech in Dundee to plead with members to back his position on Brexit.

But he had to face up to a rebel group led by Kezia Dugdale, who did not attend his speech, by warning that their demand for Britain to remain a member of the single market would leave the UK subject to all existing EU rules and laws. And on a day of gaffes and rows:

Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird demanded that the UK Government publishes the powers which need UK-wide common frameworks – hours after the list was published.

Pro-EU factions reacted with fury to claims the leadership had moved to block a vote on demands that Scottish Labour backs single market membership.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard appeared to suggest that an MP’s use of the word ‘Ch***y’ to describe a takeaway meal was simply was old-fashioned.

Mr Corbyn said supporting a customs union with the EU but not full single market membership was ‘common sense’.

‘The European Union is set to make changes of its own in the coming period, especially in relation to the rules governing Eurozone economies and the rights of temporary migrant workers,’ he said.

‘We are determined to negotiate a deal that gives full tariff-free access to the single market. But if we are going to have a jobs-first Brexit, that deal must be compatible with our plans to bring the railways and postal service into public ownership, transform energy markets, and end the privatisation of public services.

‘We could not accept a situation where we were subject to all EU rules and EU law, yet had no say in making those laws. That would leave us as mere rule-takers and isn’t a tenable position for a democracy.’

Mr Corbyn warned that the failure of the UK Government to reach an agreement with the Scottish and Welsh governments about devolved powers after Brexit adds to the prospect of ‘both economic and constitutional crises’.

Mr Leonard appeared to suggest on radio that MP Hugh Gaffney, who referred to a ‘Ch***y’ meal at a Burns Night, had merely made old-fashioned comments. He said: ‘There are changes over time in the terminology used and I reflect on the fact the language we use around people with disabilities has changed over the last few years and will change again.’

Yesterday, the UK Government published the full list of 24 powers in devolved areas which it expects UK-wide ‘common frameworks’ to be required, including aspects of agriculture, fisheries, food labelling and public procurement.

Miss Laird demanded the list of disputed powers be published – hours after it occurred.