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UK PM must ‘ditch red lines’ on Brexit: opposition leader
HASTINGS, United Kingdom, Jan 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Prime Minister Theresa
May must “ditch the red lines” on Brexit after the defeat of the plan she had
agreed with the EU, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Thursday.
“Theresa May has to ditch the red lines and get serious about proposals for
the future,” Corbyn said, adding that he was “open to discussions” with May
on a compromise as long as she ruled out the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
“Prime minister, take it off the table and have a serious discussion about
how we approach the future,” he said, warning May against any attempt “to
blackmail MPs to vote through her botched deal on a second attempt”.
“If the government remains intransigent, if support for Labour’s
alternative and the country is facing the potential disaster of no-deal our
duty will be too look at other options… including that of a public vote,”
he added.
Corbyn said Labour’s alternative Brexit plan included a customs union with
the EU, a strong single market relationship and protection of labour and
environmental rights.
Corbyn said May’s crushing defeat in parliament on Tuesday “has shredded
the last vestiges” of her authority.
BSS/AFP/RY/1750 hrs