Labour to consider its Brexit position as Jeremy Corbyn gathers senior figures for ‘away day’
2 min read
Senior Labour figures will consider the party’s stance on Brexit at an ‘away day’ arranged by Jeremy Corbyn.
According to the Observer, the Labour leader will gather key members of his shadow Cabinet away from Westminster next month to develop their approach during “phase two” of the Brexit process.
The meeting comes after a series of rebellions from Labour MPs over the leadership’s stance on single market and customs union membership.
The most recent split saw Mr Corbyn whip his party to abstain on a Withdrawal Bill amendment on the issue only for 48 MPs to defy him and back the UK staying part of the trading arrangements.
A senior figure told the newspaper: “There are several among those who will attend who want the party to move on the single market and customs union.
“But Jeremy is a lifelong eurosceptic and there is still opposition to doing so.
“The greatest pressure for change is from those who insist we must back permanent membership of a customs union with the EU after Brexit, not just a fudge position of backing it during a transition and leaving open what happens after, which we have at present.”
Earlier this month Mr Corbyn insisted that single market membership could not continue after Brexit at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour party.
Among those expected to attend the away day are the shadow chancellor John McDonnell, shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer, shadow home secretary Emily Thornberry and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.
Shadow ministers responsible for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will also be there.
The meeting is set to take place in early February.
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