WATCH: Jeremy Corbyn says Theresa May failing to shift from her Brexit red lines in crunch talks
2 min read
Jeremy Corbyn has accused Theresa May of failing to budge on her Brexit red lines, as talks between Labour and the Government on a way forward remain deadlocked.
The Labour leader said while negotiations with the Government - which began last week - had been "serious", the Shadow Cabinet had been left “frustrated” by the Prime Minister’s refusal to soften her stance on a customs union with the EU.
Talks between frontbenchers from both sides will continue tomorrow, but time is running out for a deal to be done before Wednesday's emergency EU Council summit, as Mrs May had hoped.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Corbyn said: “The problem is that the Government doesn’t seem to be moving off the original red lines.
“I’ve put the case forward for a customs union with the European Union, for market access and particularly for protection for consumers, the environment and those in work and those have to be dynamic and guaranteed in the future,
“So far we haven’t had those undertakings.”
Mr Corbyn added that while it was “interesting” that ministers had indicated they were willing to reconsider elements of the political declaration on the future relationship with the EU, “they haven’t said in what way”.
Downing Street and Labour representatives confirmed this afternoon that officials from both sides would be engaged in "technical" discussions this evening.
The Labour leader's comments come just a day after the PM said both sides would need to compromise in the talks, but that they shared principles such as “ending free movement, ensuring we leave with a good deal, protecting jobs, protecting security”.
Speaking from Number 10, Mrs May said: "Now there's lots of things on which I disagree with the Labour party on policy issues, but on Brexit I think there are some things we agree on.
"Can we find a way through this that ensures we can get a good deal and a deal agreed in Parliament?
"It'll mean compromise on both sides, but I believe that delivering Brexit is the most important thing for us."
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