MP, Leader of the , has today (Friday) written
to the Prime Minister to inform her that talks on finding a
compromise agreement for leaving the European Union have “gone as
far as they can” due to “the increasing weakness and instability”
of the government.
writes that as the
Conservative Party moves towards selecting a new leader, “the
position of the government has become ever more unstable and its
authority eroded” undermining “confidence” in the “government's
ability to deliver any compromise agreement”. He notes that “not
infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have been
publicly contradicted by statements from other members of the
Cabinet.”
The Labour leader describes the talks as “detailed” and
“constructive”, but expresses disappointment that “while there
are some areas where compromise has been possible, we have been
unable to bridge important policy gaps between us.”
ends the letter by stating
that Labour will carefully consider any proposals the Government
brings forward to break the Brexit deadlock, but reiterates that,
without significant changes, the Party will continue to oppose
the Government’s botched deal.
Ends
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· Full
text of the letter
Dear Prime Minister
I am writing to let you know that I believe the talks between us
about finding a compromise agreement on leaving the European
Union have now gone as far as they can.
I would like to put on record that the talks have been conducted
in good faith on both sides and thank those involved for their
efforts to find common ground.
The talks have been detailed, constructive and have involved
considerable effort for both our teams.
However, it has become clear that, while there are some areas
where compromise has been possible, we have been unable to bridge
important policy gaps between us.
Even more crucially, the increasing weakness and instability of
your government means there cannot be confidence in securing
whatever might be agreed between us.
As I said when we met on Tuesday evening, there has been growing
concern in both the Shadow Cabinet and parliamentary about the government's
ability to deliver on any compromise agreement.
As you have been setting out your decision to stand down and
Cabinet ministers are competing to succeed you, the position of
the government has become ever more unstable and its authority
eroded. Not infrequently, proposals by your negotiating team have
been publicly contradicted by statements from other members of
the Cabinet.
In recent days we have heard senior Cabinet ministers reject any
form of customs union, regardless of proposals made by government
negotiators. And despite assurances we have been given on
protection of environmental, food and animal welfare standards,
the International Trade Secretary has confirmed that importing
chlorinated chicken as part of a US trade deal remains on the
table.
After six weeks of talks, it is only right that the Government
now wishes again to test the will of Parliament, and we will
carefully consider any proposals the Government wishes to bring
forward to break the Brexit deadlock.
However, I should reiterate that, without significant changes, we
will continue to oppose the Government’s deal as we do not
believe it safeguards jobs, living standards and manufacturing
industry in Britain.
Yours sincerely,
