Jeremy Corbyn says he could vote to leave EU in second Brexit referendum
2 min read
Jeremy Corbyn has said he could vote to leave the European Union in a second Brexit referendum if a “good deal” was on the table.
The Labour leader said an agreement with Brussels that would allow for a “dynamic relationship” with the bloc could pose a way to unite the country.
Meanwhile, he said Labour will demand a no-confidence vote in the Government if Theresa May loses a crucial vote on her Brexit deal next week.
Labour has set out its own plan which seeks to create a Customs Union with the European Union, allow single market access and guarantee consumer and environmental protections.
Mr Corbyn said a deal along those lines could offer a "credible choice" to put to the public in a referendum.
Asked how he could vote in a fresh public poll on Brexit, Mr Corbyn told the Sophy Ridge programme on Sky News: “It depends what the choice is in front of us.
“If we’ve got a good deal in which we can have a dynamic relationship with Europe then that might be a good way forward that unites the country.
And asked if he was enthusiastic about the prospect of a second referendum he would only say: “I’m enthusiastic about getting a deal with Europe.”
His comments are likely to anger campaigners for a fresh vote - many of whom are Labour members.
However Mr Corbyn did suggest Labour would whip to support a backbench amendment this week that will demand a final say on the deal.
It is understood the amendment would demand any Brexit deal passed by MPs to be put to the public in a referendum, but Mr Corbyn said a final decision would depend on “the wording of it”.
NO CONFIDENCE
Elsewhere, Mr Corbyn said Labour will trigger a no confidence vote if the Government’s Brexit deal is rejected by MPs for a third time next week.
“At that point the confidence motion would be appropriate,” he argued. “I think at that point we should say there has to be a general election.”
Mr Corbyn refused to put a precise time on tabling the bid, but he said “quite obviously” the party and Parliament do not have confidence in the Government.
He added: “We don’t have confidence in this government’s ability and indeed Parliament doesn’t because this Government has got the record for the biggest defeat ever by a sitting Government in Parliament.”
