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Labour will seek to amend Brexit bill - Jeremy Corbyn

The UK Labour Party will look to amend any proposed bill to trigger the Brexit process the Britis...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.23 3 Dec 2016


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Labour will seek to amend Brex...

Labour will seek to amend Brexit bill - Jeremy Corbyn

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.23 3 Dec 2016


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The UK Labour Party will look to amend any proposed bill to trigger the Brexit process the British government brings forward.

Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he does not want to block Brexit - but said his party will push for guarantees about what the UK's future outside of the Union will look like.

Speaking to Sky News, he said the amendments will attempt to ensure Britain maintains access Europe's market as well as workers' rights and environmental protection measures.

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He denied that the amendment could delay the process and backed the right of courts to "interpret legislation and what Parliament does", adding that they should be respected and will "come up with the decision they come up with."

He said the reason for the amendment was that "there are those in the Tory party who want us to sever all connection with Europe, reduce corporate taxation, set up some kind of bargain basement trade agreement with the USA."

"The result would be a reduction in wages, reduction in public expenditure and ultimately a big reduction in living standards across Britain," he added.

He refused to rule out demanding a second referendum on the exit terms, when they are finally negotiated.

But, he said, he did not agree with former Labour prime minister, Tony Blair who has said he believes the referendum result can be reversed.

His comments come ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Monday on the Government's attempt to get an earlier court judgment on an Article 50 debate overturned.

The hearing will decide whether Prime Minister Theresa May is entitled to trigger formal divorce proceedings between the UK and European Union under Article 50, without the permission of Parliament.

"You can't say to be people 'you vote, you take the decision. Sorry, you've made the wrong decision. You've got to take it again,'” said Mr Corbyn.

"Two thirds of Labour voters voted to remain. There isn't a blank cheque to the Government - it's up to Parliament to hold the Government to account. That is exactly what we are doing.

"Article 50 will still be invoked. We are not going to block it. We don't think its right to do that. But, I do think there may well be a considerable body of MPs on both sides who would support an amendment which does require a trade agreement with Europe in the future."


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