Jeremy Corbyn: I'll stay neutral and let people decide on Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn says he would remain neutral and let the people decide on Brexit in a second referendum.

Announcing details of a “sensible” Brexit deal he would negotiate with Brussels, the Labour leader says he would offer to negotiate a Brexit deal involving a customs union.

At next week’s conference in Brighton, Corbyn will face pressure to hold a conference vote on the issue, as members aim to secure a manifesto pledge to campaign for remain. There are 80 motions submitted by local parties in favour of campaigning to remain in a second referendum.

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However, writing in The Guardian, Corbyn said: “A Labour government would secure a sensible deal based on the terms we have long advocated, including a new customs union with the EU; a close single market relationship; and guarantees of workers’ rights and environmental protections.

“We would then put that to a public vote alongside remain. I pledge to carry out whatever the people decide, as a Labour prime minister.”

The leader argued that his position means Labour is “the only UK-wide party ready to put our trust in the people of Britain to make the decision”.

He contrasted his position with that of Boris Johnson, who he said “wants to crash out with no deal… something opposed by business, industry, the trade unions and most of the public”.

Turning to the Liberal Democrats, he said Jo Swinson’s party “wants MPs to overturn the referendum result by revoking Article 50 in a parliamentary stitch-up,” a move he said would be “simply undemocratic”.

In contrast, he concluded, “Labour is the only party determined to bring people together. Only a vote for Labour will deliver a public vote on Brexit.”

Whether Corbyn can keep his own party together remains to be seen. Last week, Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, argued that the party should “unambiguously and unequivocally back remain”.

Other senior shadow cabinet figures, including John McDonnell, Emily Thornberry and Nick Brown, have also said they wish to campaign to stay in the bloc.