11 February 2019

POLITICO: Theresa May extends Brexit olive branch to Labour

British PM Theresa May is preparing for fresh talks with Jeremy Corbyn this week after sending the Labour leader a conciliatory letter specifying areas for further negotiations between the government and the opposition, and adding the two sides should meet again “as soon as possible.”

The letter came after Corbyn last week set out five conditions for his party's support for the government's Brexit deal.

May set out a series of measures clearly designed to win over wavering Labour MPs. In addition to new laws banning the rollback of existing workers’ rights and environmental standards, the PM also promised to legislate for MPs to be given a vote every time the EU strengthens regulations in the years to come — a step towards Labour’s call for “dynamic alignment” with EU rules and regulations, under which British law would automatically keep up with future European standards. May also promised more help for “left-behind communities."

May’s only real rebuke was to Corbyn’s call for customs union membership, and his suggestion Britain would still get a say over future EU trade deals. “I am not clear why you think it would be preferable to seek a say in future EU trade deals rather than the ability to strike our own,” the PM wrote.

But May sought to reassure Corbyn that her plans for close alignment with the EU’s customs union and single market “provide for the closest relationship possible” outside full membership. And she said she supports Labour’s ambition to keeping participating in many key EU programs, and for a security relationship that's broadly unchanged. May also noted Corbyn’s concerns about the Irish backstop, urging him to discuss with her the various “alternative arrangements” she hopes to secure. 

Full article on POLITICO

Related article on POLITICO: Jeremy Corbyn sets Labour’s terms for Brexit deal support

Corbyn's five conditions are:

— A permanent and comprehensive U.K.-wide customs union with the EU. He argues that would "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 EU single market with "shared institutions and obligations."

— Dynamic alignments on rights and protections so that the U.K. cannot undercut Brussels rules.

— "Clear commitments" on participation in EU agencies and funding programs.

— "Unambiguous agreements" that cover the detail of future security arrangements, for example shared databases used to solve and prevent crime, plus the European Arrest Warrant. [...]

Full article

Related article on The Independent: EU parliament chiefs welcome Jeremy Corbyn’s new Brexit plans

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