They’re trying to blame Labour. But it’s clear as day why the Brexit talks have collapsed.

Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May at PMQs
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The Conservatives and sections of the corporate media are trying to blame Labour for the collapse of the Brexit talks. But it’s clear as day why they just collapsed.

They want you to forget the obvious facts

At best, the corporate media is reporting that Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May are blaming each other. At worst they are repeating May’s narrative of blaming Corbyn. For example, Sky News led with the headline:

Theresa May blames Labour split over second referendum as Brexit talks collapse

In reality, Labour has been open to an array of compromises to break the parliamentary deadlock over Brexit. The Jeremy Corbyn-led party proved this during the second round of indicative votes. Labour backed both soft Brexit motions and the one calling for a confirmatory vote on any Brexit deal. One Labour-backed proposal for a new customs union with the EU lost by just three votes.

By contrast, May’s own cabinet remains split on this fundamental issue. Without a customs union and some single market alignment, the Brexit deal will break the Good Friday Agreement because it will require a hard-border between Ireland and the north of Ireland. In short, the Conservative Party split on the Irish border is still the main driving force behind the deadlock. And that doesn’t look set to change.

“Senior cabinet ministers…”

In his letter announcing the end of the Brexit talks, Corbyn highlighted the issue:

In recent days we have heard senior Cabinet ministers reject any form of customs union, regardless of proposals made by government negotiators

Read on...

Cabinet ministers rejecting the basis for any compromise include foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt and Commons leader Andrea Leadsom. Meanwhile, international trade secretary Liam Fox is still calling for deregulation of food safety standards, as Corbyn also noted:

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.

Labour has proved itself willing to compromise to break the Brexit deadlock. In contrast, May’s administration remains split on a customs union – the most basic of requirements for any compromise. It’s clear this is why the talks are dead.

Featured image via EL4JC/ Twitter

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  • Show Comments
    1. They’re trying to blame Labour. But it’s clear as day,
      why the Brexit talks have collapsed.
      ////////
      BEFORE you read on commentators + posters alike
      Some information on myself O.K.
      ////
      This post is from a FREE voter No ties to any party in power or out of power “I also pay No fee to vote that has a proven record on changing outcome of election,
      be them G.E. or local area election, to all Tory party member, the true plus the FACT of the matter is all, You Tory party members/Tory voters are responsible
      or the E.U. mess you all started the ball rolling O.K.
      1-from VOTERS
      2-from M.P.
      3-from MINISTER
      4-from Prime Minister.
      Are the soul party to blame for E.U. C**P
      Not Labour or any other party in Govt (H.O. Commons) just Tory Party Remember your X Prime Minister David Cameron that put it to a public vote with approval of all Tory party member including its voters as they said nothing to stop it going to the vote, so in my opinion you Tory party members are just as responsible as them hiding in London in Govt completing the referendum Act C**p.
      (NOT LABOUR Party)
      ///
      Now the C**P as hit the fan by way of David Cameron doing a runner on is party + voters we got left with another Maggie P.M.,Ms. May unelected by public vote
      that has NO clue on how to deal with male members of the E.U. that have the power over there, so she was taken for a ride and kicked off the cliff edge by then. Leaving No W/BILL deal struck at all.
      ///
      So, come any new G.E. NOW your Tory party will lose power by way of us free voters be it under Ms. May or a New Tory Party Prime Minister changing the leader,will not make Tory party mishandling of the E.U. C**p
      go away you All failed 3 years ago to keep your promises to us leave voter you let us have a say on E.U. C**p So, a New Tory P.M. unelected by us public voters by the way resident of U.K. will Not save you from losing power at any G.E. election Now your rain is over! we public voter will see to this MESS Tory Govt Now at any G.E. time.

    2. Labour need to back a second referendum. They will be wiped out in the EU elections, and I hope they take notice instead of saying the people want them to get on with brexit. Brexit is a stupid Idea which will leave us open to santions from the US if we ever vote in a left wing goovernment.

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