latest news (world news) april 3 2019
Corbyn leaves his home on Wednesday morning.
Jeremy Corbyn, currently locked in crunch Brexit talks with Theresa May, has long been an enigmatic political figure when it comes to the defining issue of the generation.
A long-time skeptic of the European Union who then – albeit mildly – supported the Remain campaign, Corbyn’s position on Brexit has been a source of confusion and frustration for some inside his own party. But Wednesday’s meeting with May, and with it the opportunity to help shape Brexit, will force him to set out a position – whether it be a softer Brexit, Single Market membership, or a second referendum.
So which path will he take – and why the confusion over Corbyn’s stance? His previous positions on the EU provide a clue:
Before the referendum: Corbyn has long criticized the European Union, and said he voted to leave the European Economic Community in a 1975 British referendum. He opposed the 1993 Maastricht Treaty that bonded members states closer politically, and frequently denounced aspects of the bloc before being elected Labour leader.
During the referendum: While Corbyn insisted he was a Remainer, his critics pointed out that he wasn’t much of a campaigner. He repeatedly ruled out sharing a platform with then-prime minister David Cameron on the campaign trail, and when asked on Channel 4 how passionately, out of 10, he wanted to stay, Corbyn put the figure at “about seven, or seven and a half.”
After the vote: Corbyn said he was disappointed by the result of the vote – but told the BBC just hours after the outcome became clear that Article 50, which started the clock on Britain’s departure, should be triggered immediately. Corbyn received heavy criticism for his lackluster role in the Remain campaign, which eventually led to pro-EU backbencher Owen Smith challenging him for the Labour leadership.
2017 general election: During the snap election, Corbyn took a catch-all stance on Brexit – repeating that Labour would respect the result of the referendum, but urging a closer economic union than Theresa May was pursuing. That approach allowed Labour to pick up voters in both Leave and Remain areas, and helped the party secure a stunning upset and deny May a majority government.
In recent months, Corbyn has followed a similar tactic. He’s pressed for a customs union and alignment with the Single Market, an insistence May has until now ruled out. But more recently, and after much wrangling from pro-EU backbenchers, Corbyn has also embraced a confirmatory referendum to avoid what he calls a “damaging Tory Brexit.”
Now, it’s time for clarity. The line Corbyn pursues in his meetings with May will be closely watched by those inside and outside his party – and could provide a hint as to what Corbyn wants.
Theresa May to hold Brexit crisis talks with Jeremy Corbyn
latest news april 3 2019
Where does Jeremy Corbyn stand on Brexit?
Jeremy Corbyn, currently locked in crunch Brexit talks with Theresa May, has long been an enigmatic political figure when it comes to the defining issue of the generation.
A long-time skeptic of the European Union who then – albeit mildly – supported the Remain campaign, Corbyn’s position on Brexit has been a source of confusion and frustration for some inside his own party. But Wednesday’s meeting with May, and with it the opportunity to help shape Brexit, will force him to set out a position – whether it be a softer Brexit, Single Market membership, or a second referendum.
So which path will he take – and why the confusion over Corbyn’s stance? His previous positions on the EU provide a clue:
Before the referendum: Corbyn has long criticized the European Union, and said he voted to leave the European Economic Community in a 1975 British referendum. He opposed the 1993 Maastricht Treaty that bonded members states closer politically, and frequently denounced aspects of the bloc before being elected Labour leader.
26 EU Govts hand economic power to unelected Commission. EU wants to protect privelege of City. Who is defending workers jobs and services?
824 people are talking about this
During the referendum: While Corbyn insisted he was a Remainer, his critics pointed out that he wasn’t much of a campaigner. He repeatedly ruled out sharing a platform with then-prime minister David Cameron on the campaign trail, and when asked on Channel 4 how passionately, out of 10, he wanted to stay, Corbyn put the figure at “about seven, or seven and a half.”
After the vote: Corbyn said he was disappointed by the result of the vote – but told the BBC just hours after the outcome became clear that Article 50, which started the clock on Britain’s departure, should be triggered immediately. Corbyn received heavy criticism for his lackluster role in the Remain campaign, which eventually led to pro-EU backbencher Owen Smith challenging him for the Labour leadership.
2017 general election: During the snap election, Corbyn took a catch-all stance on Brexit – repeating that Labour would respect the result of the referendum, but urging a closer economic union than Theresa May was pursuing. That approach allowed Labour to pick up voters in both Leave and Remain areas, and helped the party secure a stunning upset and deny May a majority government.
In recent months, Corbyn has followed a similar tactic. He’s pressed for a customs union and alignment with the Single Market, an insistence May has until now ruled out. But more recently, and after much wrangling from pro-EU backbenchers, Corbyn has also embraced a confirmatory referendum to avoid what he calls a “damaging Tory Brexit.”
Now, it’s time for clarity. The line Corbyn pursues in his meetings with May will be closely watched by those inside and outside his party – and could provide a hint as to what Corbyn wants.
Comments
Post a Comment