Labour tables amendment to put Parliament in control of the Brexit process

Labour has today tabled an amendment to Monday’s government motion to put Parliament in control of the Brexit process, and end the chaos and confusion created by this government’s failure and incompetence.

Labour’s amendment would instruct the government to provide sufficient parliamentary time next week for MPs to find a majority for an approach to break the Brexit deadlock. Alternate proposals could include: Labour’s alternative plan, Common Market 2.0, a customs union and a public vote.

This follows Jeremy Corbyn holding a series of meetings with individuals and groups from across the House of Commons seeking to break the Brexit impasse, as well as meetings with EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday.

Labour’s alternative plan includes:

· a comprehensive customs union with the EU, with a U.K. say on future trade deals;

· close alignment with the Single Market underpinned by shared institutions and obligations;

· dynamic alignment on rights and protections;

· commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in areas such as the environment, education, and industrial regulation; and

· clear agreements on the detail of future security arrangements, including access to the European Arrest Warrant and vital shared databases.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Theresa May's damaging deal has been overwhelmingly rejected twice by Parliament, and she cannot keep bringing it back unchanged.

“Her insistence on ploughing on with her botched and failed deal, while threatening MPs, is pushing the country to the brink.

“Following a series of meetings with MPs from all parties, EU leaders, businesses and trade unions, I am convinced that a sensible alternative deal can be agreed by Parliament, be negotiated with the EU and bring the public together, whether they voted leave or remain.

“It’s time for Parliament to take control of the Brexit process from this failed Prime Minister, and end the chaos and confusion created by the Government’s divisions and incompetence”.

Ends

Notes to editors

· The full text of Labour’s amendment, tabled this afternoon, reads:

Jeremy Corbyn

Keir Starmer

Emily Thornberry

Rebecca Long-Bailey

Valerie Vaz

Mr Nicholas Brown

Delete from House to end and Insert:

“notes the Government’s Withdrawal Agreement and Framework for the Future Relationship has been defeated for a second time; further notes the alternative proposals being proposed across this House including HM Opposition’s plan, Common Market 2.0, for a customs union, and for a public vote, and calls on the Government to provide sufficient parliamentary time this week for this House to find a majority for a different approach.”

· On Thursday, Jeremy Corbyn met Michel Barnier, the EU chief Brexit negotiator, and Martin Selmayr, the secretary general of the EU Commission. He also held talks with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, Swedish PM, Stefan Lofven, Portuguese PM Antonio Costa, Romanian PM Viorica Dancila, Slovakian PM Peter Pellegrini, Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, Maltese PM Joseph Muscat, EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans and EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, Pierre Moscovici.

· Jeremy Corbyn has also met with Jack Dromey and Caroline Spelman, Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson, leaders of four opposition parties (SNP, Plaid, Greens, Lib Dems) and the Common Market 2.0 group.