Politics

Brexit news latest: Jeremy Corbyn hits back at Boris Johnson ahead of shadow cabinet meeting to stop no-deal ‘disaster’



Jeremy Corbyn has lashed out at Boris Johnson ahead of a shadow cabinet meeting aimed at stopping a no-deal Brexit “disaster”. 

It continues a bitter spat between the two party leaders, after the PM warned rebel Tories they had a “fundamental choice” between him or “chaos” under Mr Corbyn. 

In a speech in Salford on Monday, Mr Corbyn will insist Labour is doing everything necessary to “bring Britain back from the brink”. 

However, the Tories have hit back at his comments stating: “All Jeremy Corbyn offers is more delay and uncertainty.”

PM Boris Johnson says opponents are harming chances of a Brexit deal

Speaking ahead of Monday’s meeting of the shadow cabinet, Mr Corbyn will attack the Prime Minister’s plans to suspend Parliament as an “attack on democracy which will be resisted”.

He is expected to say: “Today the shadow cabinet will be meeting to finalise our plans to stop the disaster of no-deal ahead of the return of Parliament tomorrow.

“We are working with other parties to do everything necessary to pull our country back from the brink.

“Like all progressive change, democracy was won from below, it wasn’t handed down from above.

“So, when a prime minister who hasn’t won an election and who doesn’t have a majority decrees that Parliament will be shut down because he knows his plan for a disastrous no-deal doesn’t have the votes we say that is an attack on democracy which will be resisted.”

Mr Corbyn is set to meet with his shadow cabinet (AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Corbyn will say that a no-deal scenario is a “Trump deal”, adding: “The people will not allow a phoney populist cabal in Downing Street, in hock to the vested interests of the richest, to deny them their democratic voice.

“A no-deal Brexit is really a Trump deal Brexit, leading to a one-sided US trade deal that will put us at the mercy of Donald Trump and the big American corporations.

“The pally enthusiasm of the US President for Britain’s new prime minister only underlines that in Boris Johnson, Trump has found a compliant British leader who will dance to his tune.”

He will also state his opinion that the “threat of no-deal” is “adding to the damage already done to industry by nine years of Tory government”.

 

Conservative Party deputy chairman Paul Scully said: “The alternative to delivering Brexit is Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister, a man who would wreck the economy, is soft on crime and won’t stand up for Britain.

“All Jeremy Corbyn offers is more delay and uncertainty.

“Only Boris Johnson and the Conservatives can provide the leadership Britain needs, leave the EU by October 31, whatever the circumstances.”

On Sunday, ahead of an expected showdown Commons clash this week, the Prime Minister said a cross-party alliance of opposition MPs risked plunging the country into chaos, ahead of a showdown Commons clash.

While a proposed meeting between no-deal opposing Tory MPs and Number 10 also broke down, as sources suggested the group led by David Gauke would not meet with Downing Street due to diary clashes. 

Reports also suggest rebel Tories who vote against the Government in an impending no-deal vote showdown face losing the whip. 

MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit are expected to try and seize control of the Parliamentary agenda this week to push through legislation that would force the PM to seek a Brexit extension beyond 31 October.

In his first newspaper interview since becoming Prime Minister in July, Mr Johnson told the Sunday Times: “I just say to everybody in the country, including everyone in parliament, the fundamental choice is this: are you going to side with Jeremy Corbyn and those who want to cancel the referendum?

“Are you going to side with those who want to scrub the democratic verdict of the people – and plunge this country into chaos.”

Meanwhile, Tony Blair will call for Labour to oppose any move by Mr Johnson to hold an emergency general election until Brexit has been resolved.

The former prime minister will say Labour should not “fall into the elephant trap” of backing a Westminster poll if MPs cannot agree on Brexit.

Mr Blair will say Labour should throw its weight behind supporting legislation to prevent a no-deal Brexit, not a vote of no confidence in the Government.

Gove refuses to say if Government would abide by legislation blocking no deal

In an address at the Institute for Government on Monday, Mr Blair will say: “Should the Government seek an election, it should be refused in favour of a referendum.

“It is counter-intuitive for opposition parties to refuse an election.

“But in this exceptional case, it is vital they do so as a matter of principle, until Brexit is resolved.

“Brexit is an issue which stands on its own, was originally decided on its own and should be reconsidered on its own.

“But the Brexiteers are laying a trap, to seem as if pushed into an election against their will, when they’re actively preparing for it.”

Mr Blair will praise Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his stance.

He will say: “In backing away from the idea of himself as a ‘caretaker prime minister’ Jeremy Corbyn has behaved responsibly, and if he continues to put country first, he will benefit the country and himself.

“He can now play a decisive role in how Brexit develops.

“But he should see an election for the elephant trap it is.

“If the Government tries to force an election, Labour should vote against it.”

Warning against the consequences of leaving the EU without an agreement, Mr Blair will say: “We are poised to leave Europe on October 31 with no deal and no idea frankly of what it really means.

“It could be difficult, damaging, or disastrous.

“This is a reckless path. But there is a strategy behind it, and we must be equally strategic in opposing it.”



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