Jeremy Corbyn issued a positive statement on Tuesday night welcoming Theresa May’s new stance — despite scepticism in Labour’s top ranks over whether the prime minister would “move a millimetre” in the coming days.
The leader of Britain’s main opposition party pronounced that he would be “very happy” to meet Theresa May to discuss a way out of the Brexit mire after months of political trench warfare.
“I don’t want to set any limits, one way or the other, ahead of those meetings. We recognise that she has made a move,” Mr Corbyn said.
But one shadow cabinet member said that while it was necessary to “explore a resolution”, colleagues were aware that Mrs May might only be “trying to find a way of blaming Labour for her failure”. He added: “I have no confidence that Theresa May has any intention of moving a millimetre.”
Another Labour MP said it seemed like a “trap” designed to buy time by Downing Street.
Mr Corbyn has previously been criticised for initially refusing to meet Mrs May in mid-January, although he then held a 45-minute meeting with her at the end of that month.
Another attempt to hold talks last month — along with other party leaders — foundered when Mr Corbyn discovered that Chuka Umunna, a former Labour MP who is now in the Independent Group of breakaway MPs, was in the room.
On Tuesday night Mr Corbyn tried to strike a more collegiate tone, saying he recognised his responsibility to represent both Labour and non-Labour voters to secure economic stability.
He repeated his demands for a customs union and enhanced worker and environmental protection, central Labour issues — although the party is also open towards the idea of a second referendum or a “Norway” policy that would involve single-market membership.
All of those options are politically problematic for Mrs May and could lead to splits in her ruling Conservative party. A customs union would mean the UK relinquishing its ability to strike independent trade deals; membership of the single market would mean freedom of movement for EU nationals, to the anger of Tory party members; while a second referendum risks losing Brexit altogether.
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“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,” Mr Corbyn said, acknowledging there were areas of common ground. “There’s far more that unites people on both sides than divides them.”
There is still scepticism in the Labour leadership that the two parties can come together in a meaningful way in the coming days. Asked if the cross-party talks would succeed, a second shadow cabinet member said: “Nope, I doubt it.”
Another senior figure said it was not clear how Mrs May could “agree an approach” to phase two of the Brexit talks when she has promised to stand down after phase one.
Jack Dromey, a former union leader who has worked with Tory MP Caroline Spelman to find a cross-party Brexit compromise, said the May and Corbyn statements were both helpful. “There is, however, a mountain to climb at the next stages,” he said. “But in what are in the most dangerous times since the war, everyone has to put the national interest first.”
