LABOUR CRISIS CONTINUES: Corbyn’s deputy set to DEFY him over ‘buy British’ Brexit pledge
LABOUR’S deputy leader is set to undermine Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit stance and claim the UK should “buy British” in the latest blow to the struggling party.
Tom Watson: MPs need to let Corbyn lead unencumbered
Tom Watson is expected to announce the UK should keep an “open mind” and buy homegrown goods in response to US President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ protectionist policies in a major speech today.
The Labour deputy claims UK manufacturers could enjoy a “Brexit bounce” through protectionist policies similar to Mr Trump’s “buy American” pledge.
Labour Deputy Tom Watson will defy Jeremy Corbyn over 'buying British' after Brexit
Labour leader Corbyn has said in interviews he supports freedom of movement
But this stance flies in the face of Mr Corbyn, who has recently claimed he supports freedom of movement and wants the UK to seek full tariff-free access to the European Union's single market after Brexit.
The move comes amid a spate of setbacks for the struggling Labour leader after a Shadow Frontbencher resigned over the party’s stance on triggering Article 50 as two other shadow whips announced they would defy Mr Corbyn over Brexit.
Tom Watson mocks Ed Balls, Lib Dems and Boris in speech
To say 'buy British' these days risks sneering derision from much of Britain's commentariat and chattering classes
In a speech at the Co-operative Party Economic Conference in London today, Mr Watson will be expected to say: “If Trump says buy American, our rational response is buy British.
Shadow minister Tulip Siddiq resigned from the front bench over Labour's stance on Brexit
“Yet to say 'buy British' these days risks sneering derision from much of Britain's commentariat and chattering classes, few of whom have been on a factory floor lately.
“When did you last hear Theresa May say it?
He added: “It is an age old bugbear of many politicians that the UK's strict adherence to EU procurement rules is observed more keenly in London than in Rome and Paris.
The Cardiff Central MP said: "Theresa May is now leading our country towards a brutal exit with all the damage that will cause to the people and communities we represent."
She follows fellow frontbencher Tulip Siddiq, who quit in anger at the Labour leadership on Friday.
Meanwhile, Shadow Transport Secretary Daniel Zeichner announced he would vote against Theresa May’s Brexit bill, even if it means losing his job.