"Many Photos" - Corbyn heads to Brussels for talks with Eurocrats

Jeremy Corbyn insisted today the prospect of a second referendum was still 'central' to Labour's Brexit plans.

Speaking after talks with EU negotiator Michel Barnier, the Labour leader accused Mrs May of 'allowing herself to be held to ransom by Brexiteers'.

He told Mr Barnier he would negotiate for Britain to stay in a permanent customs union after Brussels seized on it as a way out of the deadlock.

After meeting Corbyn, Michel Barnier said: 'We don't need more time, we need decisions from the British parliament.' 

The Labour leader was in Brussels today for meetings on the Brexit talks alongside shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti.  

A commitment to a permanent customs union at the start of trade talks would dramatically reduce the chances of the backstop being needed after the Brexit transition ends in December 2020.

This is because it would effectively set the outline for the trade deal from the start - but it would also block Britain's ability to strike its own trade deals around the world.

He set out his plans in a letter to Theresa May after her deal was crushed by 230 votes in Parliament - tweaking his red lines in a bid to appear consensual.

Brussels seized on it as a possible route to a cross-party consensus on the Brexit deal despite its rejection by Mrs May.

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today in Brussels) briefed Michel Barnier on his proposal for Britain to stay in a permanent customs union after Brussels seized on it as a way out of the deadlock

The Labour leader was in Brussels today for meetings on the Brexit talks alongside shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti

Michel Barnier has seized on the Labour plan as a possible route to a cross-party consensus on the Brexit deal despite its rejection by Mrs May

Following his talks with Mr Barnier today, Mr Corbyn said: 'The danger of a no-deal exit from the EU for Britain is a very present one.'

Parliament is due to vote again on what to do next week, if Mrs May has failed to bring forward a new version of her deal for a 'meaingful vote'.

Mr Corbyn warned: 'We will put a motion to parliament, as I have already.

'Keir Starmer and I have put a motion to parliament, which included the option of a popular vote to confirm otherwise agreements that have been reached.

'That was rejected by parliament at that stage. Clearly it is very much part of the agenda put forward by the Labour party.' 

Of his talks with Mr Barnier, he said: 'We put forward what we believe to be a credible process which would be to negotiate a customs union with the EU and alignment to ensure market access.' 

He added: 'The problem is that the prime minister is insisting on her deal, which has already been defeated very heavily in the parliament and running down the clock by trying to keep the threat of no-deal on the table.'

As well as Mr Barnier, the Labour leader was due to meet European Commission secretary general Martin Selmayr and European Parliament Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt. 

Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Juncker warned today he was not 'optimistic' of a Brexit deal following his latest talks with Theresa May.

The EU Commission President held his latest meeting with Mrs May last night and the pair issued a joint statement on the urgency of the process.

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox are due back in Brussels today to continue work on the Irish border backstop.  

But Mr Juncker claimed today he had 'Brexit fatigue' and suggested the talks were making little progress. 

Meanwhile, Jean-Claude Juncker warned today he was not 'optimistic' of a Brexit deal following his latest talks with Theresa May

photo link
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/corbyn-heads-to-brussels-for-talks-with-eurocrats/
News Photo Corbyn heads to Brussels for talks with Eurocrats
Advertising
You don’t have to pack away your dress just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!

Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/21/15/10101812-6727543-image-a-49_1550763034167.jpg