WATCH: Jeremy Corbyn says election results show Brexit deal with Tories ‘has to be done’
2 min read
A Brexit deal between Labour and the Conservatives “has to be done” after both parties suffered major losses in the local elections, Jeremy Corbyn has declared.
The Labour leader said voters had sent a clear message that Parliament must get on with approving the UK’s departure from the European Union.
His comments added to the confusion surrounding Labour’s position after Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said the issue had to be dealt with “whichever way”, suggesting the party could end up opposing Brexit altogether.
The Tories suffered their worst performance in nearly 25 years, losing 1,334 councillors and control over more than 40 local authorities in England.
Labour meanwhile lost 82 councillors as well as local authorities in key party heartlands.
By contrast, the anti-Brexit Lib Dems and Greens both enjoyed a string of victories in local authority areas across the country.
But speaking to ITV News, Mr Corbyn rejected the notion that the country was now turning against Brexit.
In remarks which are sure to anger Remain-backing Labour MPs, he said: “I think it means there’s a huge impetus on every MP - and they’ve all got that message - whether they themselves are Leave or Remain, that a deal has to be done and Parliament has to resolve this issue. I think that is very clear.”
Talks between Labour and the Government are expected to resume after the Bank Holiday weekend.
However, government sources played down suggestions that a deal could be done by the middle of next week.
Major differences still exist between both sides on the issue of a customs union and any deal is unlikely to be struck for at least another 10 days.
That means the UK will have to take part in the European elections on 23 May, when the newly-formed Brexit Party is expected to perform strongly.
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