They include 'close alignment with the single market'
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has laid out his party's five Brexit demands in a letter to prime minister Theresa May.
After May's initial deal with the EU was voted down in parliament, the possibility of a no-deal Brexit grows with every waking moment as March 29 looms.
Corbyn's letter begins by thanking the PM for meeting with him last week to discuss the Brexit negotiations, before reiterating that a the chance of crashing out of the EU without a deal in place must be taken off the table and that under no circumstances should a hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland return.
It goes on to list five demands, which include:
- A permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union. This would include alignment with the union customs code, a common external tariff and an agreement on commercial policy that includes a UK say on future EU trade deals. We believe that a customs union is necessary to deliver the frictionless trade that our businesses, workers and consumers need, and is the only viable way to ensure there is no hard border on the island of Ireland.
- Close alignment with the Single Market. This should be underpinned by shared institutions and obligations, with clear arrangements for dispute resolution.
- Dynamic alignment on rights and protections so that UK standards keep pace with evolving standards across Europe as a minimum, allowing the UK to lead the way.
- Clear commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in areas such as the environment, education, and industrial regulation.
- Unambiguous agreements on the detail of future security arrangements, including access to the European Arrest Warrant and vital shared databases.
The letter then states that "these
negotiating objectives need to be enshrined in law before the UK leaves the EU to provide certainty for businesses and a clear framework for our future relationship."
https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1093286577239965696
Corbyn recognises that "
any negotiation with the EU will require flexibility and compromise," but states that: "Our first priority must be a deal that is best for jobs, living standards, our communities, in the context of increased and more equitable investment across all regions and nations of the UK."
The Labour leader then signs off the letter by saying: "
My colleagues and I look forward to discussing these proposals with you further, in the constructive manner in which they are intended, with the aim of securing a sensible agreement that can win the support of parliament and bring the country together."
