Brexit: Jeremy Corbyn says he would still vote Remain after Theresa May ducked the question
‘I thought the best option was to remain, I haven’t changed my mind on that’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn has said he would vote Remain again in a further Brexit referendum, as he attacked the state of the deadlocked talks as “shocking”.
The Labour leader gave a straight answer to the question that Theresa May repeatedly dodged, saying: “I thought the best option was to remain, I haven’t changed my mind on that.”
It came as Mr Corbyn made his strongest criticism yet of the floundering negotiations, warning of the very real danger of them collapsing altogether.
“The danger is we will get to March 2019 with no deal, we fall out of the EU, we go on to World Trade Organisation rules and there will be threats to a lot of jobs all across Britain,” he said.
The fifth round of Brexit talks ended on Thursday with the EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warning of a “disturbing” impasse hindering progress.
Labour immediately called for “emergency talks” with the EU in a bid to secure an agreement on Brexit withdrawal terms, ahead of a major meeting of European leaders next week.
On his own position, Mr Corbyn said: “There isn’t going to be another referendum, so it’s a hypothetical question but yes I voted Remain because I thought the best option was to remain, I haven’t changed my mind on that.”
And, on the talks, speaking during a visit to West Yorkshire, Mr Corbyn said: “I think it is quite shocking.
“We are now 15 months on since the referendum and the Government seems to have reached deadlock at every stage.
“Every time there’s talks between [Brexit Secretary] David Davis and [EU chief negotiator] Michel Barnier, both come out making opposite statements.
“David Davis says it’s gone well and Michel Barnier says it isn’t. They can’t both be right.”
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister – who backed Remain during last year’s Brexit vote – was strongly criticised when she said she would “come to a judgement” if there was a repeat.
In a live radio interview Ms May initially declined to answer the question about how she would vote, dismissing it as “hypothetical” because Britain will leave the EU in March 2019.
But, after being pressed repeatedly on how she would vote, she said: “I could sit here and I could say I’d still vote Remain or I’d vote Leave, just to give you an answer. I’m being open and honest with you.”
The comments risked antagonising pro-Brexit Conservative MPs, who are already concerned about how much she will give away in pursuing a transitional deal.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments