Brexit: what does Labour want now?
Jeremy Corbyn says he is firmly against no-deal and supports a second referendum

The considerable costs of a no-deal Brexit would fall on working people rather than Boris Johnson and his “wealthy friends”, Jeremy Corbyn has warned.
Addressing the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference in Brighton today, the Labour leader confirmed that his party does not want Britain to leave the EU without an agreement and criticised the prime minister’s “reckless” pursuit of a withdrawal by 31 October with or without a deal, The Independent reports.
The Tory government would capitalise on no-deal to “push through policies that benefit them and their super-rich supporters, and hurt everyone else”, Corbyn said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
So what does the Labour Party want from Brexit?
General election
Over the course of Brexit negotiations, Corbyn has repeatedly called for a general election, with the goal of taking power from the Tories and letting Labour strike a new deal with the EU.
But over the past week, he has twice refused to back Johnson’s calls for an early return to the polls. Both motions put forward by the PM were defeated.
Corbyn - along with the heads of other opposition parties - has said that he will only agree to an election when a 31 October no-deal Brexit has been ruled out.
The bill blocking such an exit was passed by the Commons on Monday, meaning the PM must go back to the EU and ask for an extension until 31 January, unless MPs vote for a deal, or no-deal.
Corbyn today told TUC delegates that once it is clear that Johnson has definitely ruled out a no-deal Brexit, Labour’s next act will be “to trigger a general election”.
“So a general election is coming. But we won’t allow Johnson to dictate the terms,” he added.
"And I can tell you this: we’re ready for that election. We’re ready to unleash the biggest people-powered campaign we’ve ever seen.”
Getting rid of Johnson
Corbyn said last month that ousting Johnson through a vote of no confidence was still “very much there on the table”, but that he would only put forward such a vote “when we can be confident of success”.
Parliament has now been suspended until 14 October, when a new parliamentary session will start with a Queen’s Speech setting out the Government’s agenda.
But according to The Telegraph, Labour is planning to vote down the Queen’s Speech on 21 or 22 October and then table a confidence vote in Johnson.
Corbyn reportedly hopes that a defeat of the speech could provide the momentum required for rebel Tory MPs to join the opposition in voting against the already controversial PM.
A Labour source told the newspaper: “If he loses the Queen’s speech, you still have to have the confidence vote. The question is whether those Tory rebels will vote with us.”
If Johnson did lose a confidence vote, Corbyn would have 14 days to gather support from MPs to lead a temporary government.
If he were able to do so, he could request a further Brexit extension - if the 31 January extension had not already been agreed - and call a general election.
A second referendum
Labour backs holding a second referendum to give voters a final say on whatever deal can be struck with the EU.
Corbyn is set to clarify his party’s position on Brexit this week, after rejecting calls from senior figures in his party to campaign unequivocally for Remain ahead of any second EU vote, says the BBC.
If elected, Labour would instead offer voters a choice between a “credible” Leave option - probably a Labour negotiated, soft Brexit deal - and remaining in the EU.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says “big Labour affiliated unions” are behind Corbyn’s reluctance to back Remain.
“The Unite union, in particular, has resisted attempts to transform Labour in to an avowedly Remain party. Jeremy Corbyn is likely to make clear that this is his position too,” says Watson.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump tariffs place trucking industry in the crosshairs
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the White House barrels ahead with its massive tariff project, American truckers are feeling the heat from a global trade war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Trump stands by Hegseth amid ouster reports
Speed Read The president dismissed reports that he was on the verge of firing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over a second national security breach
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2025
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - Earth Day, pollen season, and more
By The Week US
-
Did China sabotage British Steel?
Today's Big Question Emergency situation at Scunthorpe blast furnaces could be due to 'neglect', but caution needed, says business secretary
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
What is Starmer's £33m plan to smash 'vile' Channel migration gangs?
Today's Big Question PM lays out plan to tackle migration gangs like international terrorism, with cooperation across countries and enhanced police powers
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
The tribes battling it out in Keir Starmer's Labour Party
The Explainer From the soft left to his unruly new MPs, Keir Starmer is already facing challenges from some sections of the Labour Party
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Are we on the brink of a recession?
Today's Big Question Britain's shrinking economy is likely to upend Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement spending plans
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Left on read: Labour's WhatsApp dilemma
Talking Point Andrew Gwynne has been sacked as health minister over messages posted in a Labour WhatsApp group
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Peter Mandelson: can he make special relationship great again?
In the Spotlight New Labour architect, picked for his 'guile, expertise in world affairs and trade issues, and networking skills', on a mission to woo Donald Trump
By The Week UK
-
Will Keir Starmer have to choose between the EU and the US?
Today's Big Question Starmer's 'reset' with the EU will focus on 'defence for trade' but an 'EU-hating' president in the White House could cause the PM trouble
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK