UK Labour Leader Corbyn: I would stay neutral in a second Brexit referendum

William James, Michael Holden
 

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Friday he would remain neutral in any second Brexit referendum, so he could credibly carry out the result of the vote and unite the country.

 

Corbyn, 70, is vying to become prime minister at a Dec. 12 election called by his Conservative rival, the current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to resolve a deadlock in parliament over the right approach to leaving the European Union.

 

While Johnson wants to implement a deal he has already agreed with Brussels and leave the EU in January, Labour is promising to negotiate a new exit deal and put it to the public at a second referendum next year.

 

“I will adopt as prime minister, if I am, at the time, a neutral stance so that I can credibly carry out the results of that (referendum) to bring our communities and country together, rather than continuing an endless debate about the EU, and Brexit,” Corbyn said during a televised question and answer session on BBC TV.

 

Previously, Corbyn has said his party’s position would be determined by a special party conference on the issue.

 

Brexit divides many within Labour, with some senior figures angering eurosceptic grassroots members by saying openly they would campaign to remain in the EU.

 

“I don’t see how you can do a deal when you say you are going to be neutral or indifferent about the deal,” Johnson said during a later appearance on the same show.

 

AUDIENCE GROANS

Voters face a stark choice at the election: Corbyn’s socialist vision, including widespread nationalization and free public services, or Johnson’s drive to deliver Brexit within months and build a “dynamic market economy”.

 

Both leaders endured criticism during their separate 30-minute grillings by members of the public in the northern city of Sheffield.

 

Johnson defended past comments criticized by voters as homophobic and Islamophobic, and was persistently heckled over his decision not to publish a report into Russian democratic interference. Every time he used his election slogan “Get Brexit Done”, the audience groaned.

 

One participant, asking about healthcare funding, said simply: “I think you’re lying to us.”

 

Corbyn was criticized over his proposed economic reforms and his stance on Brexit. His most difficult moment came when addressing historic complaints about his handling of anti-Semitism complaints within Labour.

 

“I don’t buy this whole ‘nice old Grandpa’ (image),” one audience member told the veteran pacifist.

 

Reporting by William James; editing by Michael Holden and Andrew Heavens and Sonya Hepinstall

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-23

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Can anyone remain neutral on brexit these days - it's the most polarizing subject in the country ?

The nation is devised, get a deal and put it to the people.

 

Easy

Audience groans.........we are just so fed up with this circus now.

 

My interest in UK politics is at an all time low

 

Really glad I don't live there anymore, I only have to subject myself to as much of this rubbish as I choose to listen, watch or read.

 

Which isn't much anymore

5 hours ago, ThaiPauly said:

Audience groans.........we are just so fed up with this circus now.

 

My interest in UK politics is at an all time low

 

Really glad I don't live there anymore, I only have to subject myself to as much of this rubbish as I choose to listen, watch or read.

 

Which isn't much anymore

You're right. It's a downturn from a respected member of a powerful union to "Little Britain ", a laughing stock of Yellow Press mocking about a sex abusing Prince having fun with underaged being friends with criminals. 

It's going to be a shame having a British Passport. ????????

Harold Wilson stayed neutral in the 1976 referendum and still got it through 66% - 34%.

Those were the days of less paranoia and extremism and also rather less media hysterics.

1 hour ago, Jonnapat said:

Harold Wilson stayed neutral in the 1976 referendum and still got it through 66% - 34%.

Those were the days of less paranoia and extremism and also rather less media hysterics.

Only up to a point.He allowed his Cabinet members to campaign for both sides and said the Government would accept the referendum verdict whichever way it went.He was quite clear however that the Government's recommendation was to remain.

 

Corbyn's position is different.He has made no recommendation.He has made a proposal that his Government would negotiate a "better deal", and then hold another referendum in which his "deal" would be one of the options.He is of course a secret Brexiteer.

58 minutes ago, jayboy said:

Only up to a point.He allowed his Cabinet members to campaign for both sides and said the Government would accept the referendum verdict whichever way it went.He was quite clear however that the Government's recommendation was to remain.

 

Corbyn's position is different.He has made no recommendation.He has made a proposal that his Government would negotiate a "better deal", and then hold another referendum in which his "deal" would be one of the options.He is of course a secret Brexiteer.

 

shouldn't that be promise rather than proposal?

 

JC has been quite clear on Labour's "deal" capacity

Labour and SNP ,   coalition expected Dec 17.

   Brexit soon to be History ...

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, elliss said:

Labour and SNP ,   coalition expected Dec 17.

   Brexit soon to be History ...

 

 

 

Expected by whom ?

Boris & Nigel will probably get more votes than Jezzer and Salmond

2 hours ago, elliss said:

Labour and SNP ,   coalition expected Dec 17.

   Brexit soon to be History ...

 

 

 

Remind me to disregard your Grand National tips.????

6 hours ago, sawadee1947 said:

You're right. It's a downturn from a respected member of a powerful union to "Little Britain ", a laughing stock of Yellow Press mocking about a sex abusing Prince having fun with underaged being friends with criminals. 

It's going to be a shame having a British Passport. ????????

But it will be blue and made in France and it will be beautiful , perfect indeed. And all this wrack and ruin will have been in the end for something that matters not just toxic unicorns. 

3 hours ago, elliss said:

Labour and SNP ,   coalition expected Dec 17.

   Brexit soon to be History ...

 

 

 

I wish of course but have given up - just waiting for the Boris bounce on sterling and then I'm out. Apparently Johnson likes the Clash - well I have a message for him Joe would have voted for Jezza.

 

 

10 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

I wish of course but have given up - just waiting for the Boris bounce on sterling and then I'm out. Apparently Johnson likes the Clash - well I have a message for him Joe would have voted for Jezza

Yes, but boris liked the clashs music, Boris didnt like the singers politics 

 

Any way here's food for though from another thread - get in line to cheer the rinsing of your pounds and your pensions for the greater good of a country you no longer live in. Cos they're working class tories you see knee scraping and cap doffing to the grave. 

 

  2 hours ago, billzant said:

Tweet from ICBP "Delighted to see @UKLabour commit to ensuring 'the pensions of UK citizens living overseas rise in line with pensions in Britain' in #LabourManifesto. It is time to #EndFrozenPensions and give the half a million UK state pensioners living overseas the pension they deserve" 

End Frozen Pensions @pensionjustice

Blimey apoplexy for the Brexiteers amongst us who will of course have to decry commie Corbyn and continue to accept their penury along with their principles. Boris told the just over 60 woman last night who just lost out on her pension tough tittie luv we aint any money for that. And this is the triple locked pension to boot. Anyway good that they wouldn't sell out their principles for a naked handout and most anyway won't have a vote. Oh and what's more Corbyn won't win so that's that.

A Government spokesperson said: 'It would cost the taxpayer more than £3billion over five years to change course on an issue which has been clear and settled government policy for seven decades, so we naturally have no plans to do so.'

 

 

So he’ll negotiate a deal with 27 European countries that he will not recommend to UK citizens? Pitiful.

13 hours ago, elliss said:

Labour and SNP ,   coalition expected Dec 17.

   Brexit soon to be History ...

 

 

 

You are being a cynic? or is it a joke post?

I trust Corbyne  to tell the truth as much as I trust Donald Trump to tell the truth, and he does occasionally

Geezer

7 minutes ago, ivor bigun said:

You are being a cynic? or is it a joke post?

I think the correct conclusion is actually 'UK soon to be history'.

18 hours ago, Jonnapat said:

Harold Wilson stayed neutral in the 1976 referendum and still got it through 66% - 34%.

Those were the days of less paranoia and extremism and also rather less media hysterics.

and far less realised about the so-called "Common Market".

2 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I trust Corbyne

 to tell the truth as much as I trust Donald Trump to tell the truth, and he does

occasionally

Geezer

But only by accident.

 

 

I can see where this is coming from, a lot of Labour's core supporters are pro brexit, another lot are totally pro remain. A rock and a hard place - do a Pontius Pilate. Personally, I don't give a damn, just make it history. 

18 hours ago, jayboy said:

Only up to a point.He allowed his Cabinet members to campaign for both sides and said the Government would accept the referendum verdict whichever way it went.He was quite clear however that the Government's recommendation was to remain.

 

Corbyn's position is different.He has made no recommendation.He has made a proposal that his Government would negotiate a "better deal", and then hold another referendum in which his "deal" would be one of the options.He is of course a secret Brexiteer.

As far as I can make out, the nationalisation proposals contained in his party's election manifesto, could only be carried out if the UK leaves the EU... 

There is a delicious irony today as Labour say they would unfreeze frozen expat pensions. I know why the well-off would vote Tory (maybe I should ?)  and why the hedge funds , banks and the like have funded them to the gills. But why would a just making do person in Thailand help them to get there ?Anyway I celebrate your civic mindedness and as the years go by and you are coppering up your baht in the jar as Britain gets sold down the river maybe you will remember this one short window when it could have been different and the small bit part you could have played when you might have made a difference.

 

https://www.internationalinvestment.net/news/4006763/british-expats-losing-gbp50k-pension-freeze

39 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

There is a delicious irony today as Labour say they would unfreeze frozen expat pensions. I know why the well-off would vote Tory (maybe I should ?)  and why the hedge funds , banks and the like have funded them to the gills. But why would a just making do person in Thailand help them to get there ?Anyway I celebrate your civic mindedness and as the years go by and you are coppering up your baht in the jar as Britain gets sold down the river maybe you will remember this one short window when it could have been different and the small bit part you could have played when you might have made a difference.

 

https://www.internationalinvestment.net/news/4006763/british-expats-losing-gbp50k-pension-freeze

The irony is made even more delicious when one considers whether the collapse in the value of the pound, which many agencies suggest would be a result of the fiscal and economic policies advocated by the Labour Party under it's current leadership, and would likely (the implication is) to be greater, and less likely to be recovered from than the one which followed the Brexit referendum, would outweigh any increase in income gained by unfreezing the state pension. Now I don't know, but I don't think I would like to take a punt on it! 

38 minutes ago, JAG said:

The irony is made even more delicious when one considers whether the collapse in the value of the pound, which many agencies suggest would be a result of the fiscal and economic policies advocated by the Labour Party under it's current leadership, and would likely (the implication is) to be greater, and less likely to be recovered from than the one which followed the Brexit referendum, would outweigh any increase in income gained by unfreezing the state pension. Now I don't know, but I don't think I would like to take a punt on it! 

jam today though! Jam today ! For tomorrow we may be dead. 

 

Billionaires , hedge fund managers , dodgy money oligarchs ,  Eton toffs , Royal Family trebles all round. The big pay day cometh for those that haveth. Anyway as we all know now, if we have eyes to see Johnson will win, there will be a short lived pound bounce before the grim reality of where we are sets in , and your pensions will stay in the permafrost. 

 

By the end of next year barring a baht devaluation we will be lucky to get 35 , money grabbing remainer that I am oh and Brexit won't be done as we need a FTA ,  so uncertainty continues until the end of the year when either he accepts a shotgun FTA from the Eu or we no deal again. I'm betting on the Boris bounce for a big sterling transfer and then I'"m done.  Thanks to all you cap doffers and crawlers I can take my profits without having to hold my nose and dirty my hands voting for the Great Liar.  For that small mercy I must be grateful. 

 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/09/03/corbyn-better-no-deal-brexit-say-investment-banks-anti-capitalist/

 

You can see why Gove and Johnson are so keen to sell the line that they will “get Brexit done” and “take back control” in a matter of months. They must pretend it will be easy to take the UK out of the EU in January and then negotiate a trade deal with Brussels by the end of 2020. While we wait for the negotiations to end, Britain will be subject to EU rules, pay the EU money and accept the free movement of EU citizens to Britain and vice versa. It will seem as if there is no point in leaving

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/23/in-his-deceit-and-cynicism-michael-gove-is-the-embodiment-of-the-age

22 hours ago, sanemax said:

Expected by whom ?

Boris & Nigel will probably get more votes than Jezzer and Salmond

Salmond might be banged up.

2 hours ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

There is a delicious irony today as Labour say they would unfreeze frozen expat pensions. I know why the well-off would vote Tory (maybe I should ?)  and why the hedge funds , banks and the like have funded them to the gills. But why would a just making do person in Thailand help them to get there ?Anyway I celebrate your civic mindedness and as the years go by and you are coppering up your baht in the jar as Britain gets sold down the river maybe you will remember this one short window when it could have been different and the small bit part you could have played when you might have made a difference.

 

https://www.internationalinvestment.net/news/4006763/british-expats-losing-gbp50k-pension-freeze

And if Labour get in we,'ll have a 4 day week and still get the same money.....they,ve gone a bit quite on that one.

19 hours ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

I wish of course but have given up - just waiting for the Boris bounce on sterling and then I'm out. Apparently Johnson likes the Clash - well I have a message for him Joe would have voted for Jezza.

 

 

Make me laugh all these millionaire pseudo socialist musicians,how much tax do they pay in the uk?

On 11/23/2019 at 4:15 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

The nation is devised, get a deal and put it to the people.

 

Easy