LABOUR leader Corbyn gave himself room for more manoeuvres when he told The Andrew Marr Show yesterday: ‘We will table a motion of no confidence in the government at a time of our choosing, but it’s going to be soon, don’t worry about that.’
He was responding to Marr who had asked: ‘If she loses that vote on Tuesday do you immediately put down a vote of no confidence in the government? Corbyn said: ‘We will table a motion of no confidence in the government at a time of our choosing, but it’s going to be soon, don’t worry about that.’
Marr said: ‘So you’re not promising to put down a vote of no confidence on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning?’ to which Corbyn replied: ‘You’ll see what happens.’ Corbyn said of May’s turn to talk to the unions: ‘The problem with her reaching out to the trade unions and others, and I’ve spoken to a number of the people she’s reached out to, is she offered nothing of any certainty in it.
‘She just said parliament would be able to consider changes in the rights at work legislation, environment and consumer protection in the future. That’s not a guarantee of anything and it’s been rejected by the way by the TUC and all the major unions.’ Marr then said: ‘Let’s talk about an election. In Labour’s manifesto, are you promising to deliver Brexit?’
Corbyn replied: ‘Our manifesto will reflect on the reasons why people voted the way they did in 2016. People were very angry in those areas which voted leave. People were also very angry in those areas that voted remain.’ Marr responded: ‘Clear question, clear answer – in your manifesto will you be promising to deliver Brexit?’
Corbyn replied: ‘We have a manifesto commitment of 2017 which is to respect the result of the referendum. We have a comprehensive conference motion last year which included a number of events, the first of which happens on Tuesday. Obviously our process will decide exactly what goes in the manifesto as soon as we know an election is coming.’
Marr said: ‘Nearly 80 per cent of your members want to either remain in the EU or want a second referendum, they will be able to outvote you and therefore you may not go into the next election committed to Brexit.’
Marr said: ‘We are at a moment of real crisis for the whole country. Brexit is right in front of us and you’re suggesting an election right now. What I want to know is what do you as Labour leader want to happen to Brexit if you win that election?’
Corbyn replied: ‘At the very minimum a customs arrangement with the European Union that gives us a say in what goes on but also avoids the whole issues of the problems of Northern Ireland which this deal does. Secondly, access to the single market which is crucial.’
Marr said: ‘You seem very reluctant about the idea of another referendum. Can I ask you, if Theresa May’s deal is voted down, if you don’t get the general election you want, and we’re onto the new area as described in the Labour composite motion from the conference, do you then go for a people’s vote?’
Corbyn replied: ‘My own view is that I’d rather get a negotiated deal now if we can to stop the danger of a no-deal exit from EU on 29th March which would be catastrophic for industry, catastrophic for trade and the long-term effects would be huge.’
