'Labour will save Brexit' McDonnell vows to quit single market and put British jobs first
JOHN McDonnell has sought to portray the Labour Party as the saviours of Brexit by vowing to finish the deal and take Britain out of the single market.
Labour will push through 'jobs-first Brexit', says John McDonnell
John McDonnell has tried to build on his party's momentum, following Labour's surprise gains in the election, by vowing to push on with a "jobs-first" Brexit.
The shadow chancellor has dismissed concerns from the Conservatives that Labour will renege on its commitment to Brexit.
Tories such as Iain Duncan Smith said that Labour won a strong proportion of ex-Ukip voters by pretending to be strong on taking the UK out of the EU.
McDonnell insisted that Labour will take Britain out of the single market
But, speaking to ITV's Robert Peston, Mr McDonnell insisted that Labour will take Britain out of the single market and respect the referendum.
The Corbyn ally told Peston that while the Conservatives were in disarray trying to strike a deal with the DUP, the Labour Party could step in and "save Brexit".
He told ITV: "We will push for a jobs-first Brexit. Labour wants to respect the results of the referendum.
"Staying in the single market would not honour that. We remain absolutely wedding to completing Brexit and getting on with the job."
The Corbyn ally told Peston that while the Conservatives were in disarray, Labour could save Brexit
Corbyn has vowed to get the Brexit job done
We will push for a jobs-first Brexit. Labour wants to respect the results of the referendum
The shadow chancellor also told Peston that any form of relationship between the Conservative Party and the DUP - to bolster a minority Tory government - was "bound to be inherently unstable".
Mr McDonnell's remarks echoed Jeremy Corbyn who appeared on The Andrew Marr Show earlier.
The Labour leader had told Marr that Labour will lead Britain out of the EU.
John McDonnell has tried to build on his party's momentum, following Labour's surprise gains
McDonnell claims 'tone of Brexit negotiation will be different'
He said his party would “absolutely” ensure Brexit occurs if they secured power, with a focus on negotiating tariff-free access as part of a "jobs-first Brexit".
Mr Corbyn said: “Well, the single market is a requirement of EU membership and since we won’t be EU members there will have to be an arrangement made."