LABOUR'S BREXIT WAR? Diane Abbott grilled over Jeremy Corbyn policy chaos
DIANE ABBOTT received an on-air grilling over the Brexit chaos surrounding Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party as the veteran socialist denies conference a vote on Britain’s European Union divorce.
Fatima Manji to Abbott: Your delegates are at odds with Corbyn
The shadow home secretary was challenged over the huge divide inside the Labour Party after MPs accused Jeremy Corbyn of ducking discussion over Brexit.
As Labour’s annual conference gets underway in Brighton, more than 30 MPs, MEPS, Labour peers, trade union leaders and mayors published an open letter demanding the party shows “the courage of its convictions” and strengthens its pro-Brussels message.
MPs, including Heidi Alexander and Chuka Umunna, were amongst the list calling for the Labour Party to commit to staying in the single market and customs union, and “ruling out no options for how to achieve this”.
Brexit will now be excluded from a series of debates as MPs and activists gather in Brighton for Labour’s annual conference.
Brexit news: Diane Abbott defends Jeremy Corbyn ahead of Labour Party conference 2017
The delegates seem to be at odds with Jeremy Corbyn, on his position on the single market
Discussing the split on Channel 4 News, Ms Abbott was grilled over the apparent division in the Labour Party.
Host Fatima Manji said: “One of the problems you have faced though – you say you want to put delegates first – the delegates seem to be at odds with Jeremy Corbyn, on his position on the single market.”
Ms Abbott replied: “Well, we’re going to have a debate on that.
John McDonnell grilled by Sky News host over Brexit chaos
“I think you’ll find, as in the general election, that Labour Party delegates trust the Labour Party, rather than Conservatives, to get the best possible Brexit – a jobs Brexit, an economy Brexit and a Brexit that reflects Labour values.”
Ms Abbott was also questioned on Labour’s policy surrounding freedom of movement after mixed policies were spelt out across the weekend.
Hard-left MP Clive Lewis claimed calls to end uncontrolled immigration from Europe are driven by racism, while shadow chancellor said it would be “difficult to see” how Britain could remain under the “exploitive” freedom of movement rules.
Ms Abbott said: “Immigrants play a really important role in our economy.
“EU migrants are vital to the health service, education and social services, and therefore, we don’t want to see important services collapse.”
Labour MP Clive Lewis: UK migration control comes down to racism
Speaking to the BBC, Mr McDonnell rejected the idea that the issue was being ignored.
He said: “I think you’ve got this wrong.
“There will be a debate about Brexit, a very thorough one. Keir Starmer will be introducing it, there will be the normal report from the national executive committee, and if people want to vote on that they can.
“But the way we organise conference now, the delegates themselves, no longer the leadership, decide on what motions they’ll debate, and that’s what the delegates have done. They’ve chosen other issues.”
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