Corbyn ‘plans to betray public’ by voting against EU withdrawal

MINISTERS have warned that Jeremy Corbyn is planning to “con” Labour supporters and the public by voting down the EU Withdrawal Bill in the House of Commons this evening.

It follows his pledge during the election campaign that Labour would not block Brexit and came after the party voted in support of the decision to trigger Article 50, the start of formal talks.

David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, warned that voting against Brexit would amount to backing a “chaotic” exit from the European Union.

He stressed that the British people “did not vote for confusion” in last year’s referendum and Parliament should respect that when it divides on the Bill for the first time.

Earlier, Dominic Raab, the justice minister, told Sky News that Mr Corbyn was preparing to pull “the biggest con trick on Labour voters and the country yet” by refusing to back the Bill, as Labour shadow ministers expressed concern at the decision.

Although Theresa May is expected to win the crunch vote, which will transpose EU law on to the UK statute books, John Healey, the shadow housing minister, warned that voting against it “sends the wrong signal” to voters.

Mr Healey reportedly told Mr Corbyn at a meeting last week: “We are sending the wrong signal to the country with this. We have to vote for the Bill.” Mr Corbyn’s stance comes as it emerged that shadow ministers will speak at a host of pro-remain events at the party’s annual conference.

Diane Abbott, Keir Starmer, Emily Thornberry and a number of other key allies of the Labour leader have been booked to speak at the events, including one titled “Why Labour must support free movement”, despite the party’s promise that the policy will end.

Recently, a number of Northern and Midlands Labour MPS warned that blocking the Bill in the Commons will betray voters in Labour heartlands who have concerns about immigration.

Yesterday, the TUC federation of trade unions called on the party to back remaining in the single market and customs union forever. It is expected to back a conference motion to support permanent single market membership, which sources claim the leader would find difficult to oppose.

The conference is expected to fuel claims that Labour is now the party of Remain. Only one explicit pro-brexit event has been arranged, and no shadow cabinet members will speak.

Mr Corbyn has so far refused to pledge staying in the single market indefinitely, stating instead that Labour backs membership during the transitional period but that a new regime will be introduced after leaving.

But Frances O’grady, the general secretary of the TUC, will say today: “My challenge to all political parties is this: When it comes to Brexit, don’t box yourselves in.”