JEREMY Corbyn has clashed with his own party again after a spokesman for the leader refused to say if he thought the UK should remain part of the single market.
The spokesman was asked several times if Corbyn would support the UK remaining a member of the single market after Brexit, and several times refused to answer. Corbyn wants “full access to the single market in goods and services,” said the spokesman but believes aspects of it “are damaging to working people”.
The Labour leader himself was forced to later clarify remarks saying that his team had already suggested “red lines” for the Government’s Brexit negotiations, and that he would like access to the single market without being a member of the single market.
“We will be pressing for full access to the European single market for goods and services as part of those negotiations,” Corbyn said. “But there are directives and obligations linked to the single market, such as state aid and requirements to liberalise and privatise public services, which we would not want to see as part of a post-Brexit relationship.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “What? Labour surely not advocating withdrawal from single market? Assume this is not @kezdugdale position?”
Dugdale replied to say that she was “absolutely committed to EU and single market”.
She followed it up with a letter making clear that Scottish Labour were an “autonomous party” who had “repeatedly supported [Sturgeon’s] efforts to meet with governments around the world to not only seek to find a way to retain our EU membership, but also to make clear that Scotland remains open for business.”
The letter continued: “In the interests of absolute clarity, Scottish Labour will continue to support these efforts to maintain Scotland’s relationship with Europe.”
Corbyn’s leadership rival
Owen Smith said the veteran left winger was siding with Brexiteers and right-wing Tories: “Tens of thousands of Labour members and trade unionists will be worried to hear that Jeremy Corbyn appears to agree with David Davis that our membership of the single market is not worth fighting for.
“I have been consistent in saying that trade with Europe is in our national economic interest
“ It brings jobs, growth and investment.”
Corbyn was also criticised in the wake of the European referendum result for not doing more to support the Remain campaign.
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