DUP accuse Theresa May of 'sub-contracting Brexit' to Jeremy Corbyn as Tory eurosceptics slam 'unity' plea
5 min read
The DUP have accused Theresa May of "sub-contracting out the future of Brexit" to Jeremy Corbyn, as Tory MPs reacted with fury to her plan to ask the Labour leader to help deliver the UK's departure from the EU.
The Northern Irish unionist party - who Mrs May relies on to prop up her minority government - said the move was another example of the Prime Minister's "lamentable" handling of Brexit.
Mrs May on Tuesday night called on the Labour leader to help her pass a Brexit deal with a plea for "national unity to deliver the national interest".
Mr Corbyn said he would be "very happy" to sit down with the Prime Minister, but insisted she must concede ground on a customs union and workers' rights to reach a deal.
In statement reacting to the extraordinary development, the DUP - which has consistently voted against Mrs May's Brexit deal amid concern over the Irish backstop - said: "The Prime Minister’s lamentable handling of the negotiations with the EU means she has failed to deliver a sensible Brexit deal that works for all parts of the United Kingdom. That is why she has not been able to get it through Parliament.
"Her announcement therefore tonight comes as little surprise. Though it remains to be seen if sub-contracting out the future of Brexit to Jeremy Corbyn, someone whom the Conservatives have demonised for four years, will end happily."
They added: "We want the result of the referendum respected, and just as we joined the Common Market as one country we must leave the EU as one country.
"We will continue to use our position within Parliament and with the Government to argue strongly the case for Northern Ireland and the integrity of the United Kingdom.
"We remain consistent in judging all Brexit outcomes against our clear unionist principles.”
'KNOWN MARXIST'
The angry reaction from the DUP came amid deep Cabinet splits over Mrs May's offer - and as Conservative Brexiteers lined up to denounce the plan.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, chair of the European Research Group of Tory Eurosceptics, accused Mrs May of teaming up with "a known Marxist" - as he warned that his party could haemorrhage votes over the move.
"You do find that leaders who decide to go with the opposition rather than their own party find their own party doesn’t plainly follow," he said.
"I’m not sure this is the way to conciliate people to persuade them if they haven’t moved already to move at this stage. I think getting the support of a known Marxist is not likely to instil confidence in Conservatives."
Boris Johnson, who recently came out in favour of Mrs May's Brexit deal after twice vote against it, meanwhile branded the plan to reach out to Mr Corbyn "very disappointing".
The ex-Foreign Secretary added: "It now seems all too likely that British trade policy and key law making powers will be handed over to Brussels - with no say for the UK.
"As it is, we now face the ridiculous possibility of being forced to contest the European elections more than three years after leaving the EU and having to agree to exit terms that in no way resemble what the people were promised when they voted to leave.
"The PM and Cabinet have concluded that any deal is better than no deal, and this is truly a very bad deal indeed - one that leaves us being run by the EU.
"I can under no circumstances vote for a deal involving a customs union as I believe that does not deliver on the referendum."
But one minister told PoliticsHome they were in "utter despair" with both the ERG and the Prime Minister - accusing hardline Brexiteers of having "destroyed Brexit" by refusing to compromise.
"They should be made to explain themselves," the minister said.
They added: "I’m aghast that a full day of Cabinet has led to the groundbreaking strategy of talking to Corbyn, whose motivations have never been to unify the country but chaos and division."
CORBYN: NO LIMITS
In a statement, Mr Corbyn said he would be "very happy" to meet the Prime Minister - and promised not to set "any limits" ahead of the talks.
"I recognise my responsibility to represent the people who supported Labour in the last election and the people who didn't support Labour but nevertheless want certainty and security for their own future," he added
"And that's the basis on which we will meet her and have those discussions."
But the Labour leader - who has long pushed for Britain to join a customs union with the EU - made clear that he would be pushing for a softer form of Brexit likely to enrage Conservative eurosceptics.
“Labour has put forward our proposals to ensure there is a customs union with the EU, access to vital markets and protections of our standards of consumer, environmental and workers’ rights," he said.
"And we’ll ensure that those are on the table. We're also very clear that there has to be an absolute guarantee that the Good Friday Agreement is maintained for peace in Northern Ireland.
“So far the Prime Minister hasn't shown much sign of compromise, but I'm pleased that today she's indicated she'll accept the view of Parliament and is prepared to reach out and have that discussion.
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