Labour plays down chances of Brexit agreement with government, saying ‘substantial differences’ remain

‘We’ve yet to see clear evidence of the kind of real change and compromise that would obviously be necessary to reach an agreement’

Labour has played down the chances of reaching a deal with the government on Brexit, saying “substantial differences” remain between the two parties.

Government ministers and their Labour counterparts held three days of talks last week and had further discussions on Tuesday as they attempted to find a cross-party solution to the deadlock gripping parliament.

The negotiating teams will meet again on Thursday after an emergency European Council summit on Wednesday at which EU leaders will decide whether to approve the government’s request to delay Brexit until 30 June or instead insist on a longer extension.

Ms May is likely to point to the ongoing talks with Labour as part of her efforts to convince European leaders that there is a realistic prospect of parliament approving a withdrawal agreement if the EU agrees to a further delay.

On Wednesday, the prime minister’s spokesperson insisted that talks with Labour had been “constructive” and that there was ”a shared determination to see what can be done”.

But Jeremy Corbyn’s spokesperson painted a more negative picture, saying the two sides were still “a long way” apart.

He said discussions were being conducted “in a serious, detailed and engaged way” but added: “We’ve yet to see clear evidence of the kind of real change and compromise that would obviously be necessary to reach an agreement.”

He continued: “We have shown we’re prepared to compromise but there evidently does need to be significant and substantive movement on their part.

“They are certainly exploring options but I think they find it pretty difficult to move off those red lines.”

Admitting there were “quite clearly substantial differences” between the two sides, he added: “At the moment we don’t see the kind of real change and compromise that clearly will be necessary and that would involve them moving off their red lines.”

The spokesperson suggested that divisions between cabinet ministers were hindering progress during negotiations, saying: “There are some members of the cabinet who are clearly committed to this process and are very seriously trying to explore movement, but in terms of the absolutely basic red lines, there hasn’t been a substantive movement.”

Asked if he was suggesting that other cabinet ministers were not committed to the cross-party talks, he said: “It’s entirely well known that there are different views on some of these issues in the cabinet.”

Labour is demanding that the government agree to a permanent customs union with the EU, and there is also disagreement over how closely the UK should stay aligned with the single market.

Ms May has said that if no agreement can be reached, she and Mr Corbyn will attempt to draw up a series of options to put to the House of Commons.

Her spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that the prime minister would abide by whatever decision MPs made, but only if Labour agrees to do the same.