The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
Jun 28, 2019
With a new prime minister on the horizon, the subject of Brexit and leaving the EU is going to come storming back into headlines like you wouldn't believe it.
The date of leaving the union is still set for October 31 and with no confirmed deal in sight, politicians and the public are trying to guess what will happen next.
As the opposition party, Labour's stance on the issue is still a little unclear. The party is prioritising a deal that will help preserve jobs and living standards as well as investing in the community.
Jeremy Corbyn has said in the recent past that he would be in favour of a second referendum but in the past week aides close to the leader have said that he would accept a no-deal.
During an appearance on Question Time, Labour activist and former party advisor Ayesha Hazarika criticised Labour for presenting themselves as a progressive party but failing to oppose Brexit.
I have watched the Labour party become the Vicki Pollard with their 'yeah, but no but yeah but no but...'
It's ridiculous we've had more positions than the karma sutra.
As time has gone on, the longer Theresa May dithered over Brexit and caused delay, both sides have hardened their position.
The choice is back to the binary. You're either going for a no-deal Brexit now or it is about revoking article 50 and staying.Â
I'm afraid for the Labour party, where my party, a socialist internationalist left-wing party is on the same side of Brexit as people like Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson.
Politics about difficult decisions - this is not easy - it is very difficult, but it is about strong choices.
I don't know how Jeremy Corbyn can support something which will destroy our economy, cost jobs, hammer public services and divide this country even more.
What left-leaning socialist progressive person would want that?
Labour MP, Caroline Flint, who was also on the panel responded by saying:
I think that actually trying to secure what you're asking for Ayesha, is an orderly Brexit, which keeps a close relationship with the European Union, but allows some different ways that chart our own future.
And maybe address some of those things that we appear to ignore whilst we remain in the European Union. That is what it's about being a progressive.
Flint added that in the scenario of a second referendum, the options on the ballot should only be 'deal or no-deal' but Harazika responded that if there is a general election Labour will be forced to pick a side or face humiliation at the polls.
The Labour Party is going to have to pick a side. And I tell you something the party, based on the last set of European elections, the Labour Party will be hammered.
Earlier in the show, Flint was quizzed by host Fiona Bruce, who asked her if 'no-deal was the only option presented would you support it?'
Flint replied:
No what I said was if we get pushed, or channelled into a situation where parliament is being asked to vote to revoke Article 50 - which will basically put a stop on us leaving the European Union - I would not vote to revoke Article 50.
But what has happened in parliament is we have hardliners on both sides of the argument that no-deal would never be good enough, and between them they have done everything to frustrate that deal.
What I won't have is being bullied and blackmailed into stopping Brexit because others won't let us get a deal and move on.
HT New European