Politics

'What's point of Remainers negotiating with EU?' Labour's Ashworth pulled apart on Brexit


Mr Ashworth was appearing on Sky News to defend his party’s record ahead of the December 12 general election next week. The Labour Party chief was asked about his party’s stance on Brexit, which involves going “back to the people” for a “final say” vote on the UK’s membership of the Brussels bloc. Part of the plan is to negotiate a more “credible” Leave option with the EU – something Sky News’ Ms Ridge questioned as the majority of Labour frontbenchers are Remainers. 

Mr Ashworth insisted he was a Remainer as he believed staying in the EU was best for the nation – but Ms Ridge questioned why the EU would offer a better deal to a party made of up those who do want Brexit all. 

She said: “Labour’s policy on Brexit is to go and negotiate a better deal with the EU. Would free movement of people come to an end under that deal?

Mr Ashworth said: “Well that depends on the deal, doesn’t it? But I think free movement has been good for the UK economy. 

“Public services like the NHS have benefitted hugely from free movement across the EU.”

WATCH: Jo Swinson stunned as Ridge plays her at own game

The Shadow Health Secretary went on to contend the health and social care sectors “literally could not survive” if the UK does not “continue to recruit internationally”.

He added it was “highly irresponsible” to “slap taxes” on nurses arriving in the UK from the EU. 

Pressed on whether there was a Brexit deal he could “theoretically support”, Mr Ashworth said: “I have always been pretty clear that Britain is better off in the EU.

“That is why I campaigned for Remain. That is why I think Remain should be put to the people.” 

The Labour frontbencher also accused the Prime Minister Boris Johnson of lying to the British public over his pledge to reduce immigration.

Mr Ashworth said: “He said the committee will be independent in the same way as the Bank of England is independent so he is misleading people when he says he is bringing immigration down because there will be no democratic control. There will be no accountability over any decision that any immigration minister makes because it will be handed over to a statutory independent committee – so again Boris Johnson is lying to the British people.”

In a pre-recorded interview with the same programme, Mr Johnson insisted the Conservatives would introduce an “Australian style points-based system” to cut numbers.

He said: “What we want to do is to use an Australian style points-based system. I am not hostile to immigration as you know, Sophy, I’m a believer in allowing people to come to this country and I think if they have talents and they want to do things to make their lives in the UK and they can contribute to our country, fantastic, and we benefitted from that but what we’re going to do is have three categories, as you may have seen from what we’re saying.

“So people who are exceptional talents, they can come in. First violinists, nuclear physicists, prima ballerinas, whatever, they are going to come up, start-up kings and queens, they are going to come in simply by virtue of what they can contribute.”



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