The opposition leader forgot the Labour’s six key Brexit tests on the same day the party claimed Theresa May’s Brexit plan was failing them.
The shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer spent most of this year’s Labour conference confirming that the party was preparing to vote against whatever deal Theresa May presents to Parliament, but it seems the leader has yet to learn what their policy entails.
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https://twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1044705681683697664
The party says the six tests are what will determine whether or not it will support the prime minister’s plan when there is a crucial vote. They ask:
Does it ensure a strong and collaborative future relationship with the EU?
Does it deliver the ‘exact same benefits’ as we currently have as members of the Single Market and Customs Union?
Does it ensure the fair management of migration in the interests of the economy and communities?
Does it defend rights and protections and prevent a race to the bottom?
Does it protect national security and our capacity to tackle cross-border crime?
Does it deliver for all regions and nations of the UK?
On the same day that Labour published a report confirming that Theresa May’s current plan for Brexit was ‘on course to be failed’ by these tests the leader was asked about them by BBC’s Newsnight… but he was unable to give an clear answer.
He explained: ‘We have made clear all along that our tests are on access to the market, are on a customs union, are on appropriate regulations that protect jobs, environment and consumer rights, and of course an end to the speculation on the danger of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.’
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg responded: ‘Well the six tests you set out last year were actually about fair migration, strong collaboration with the EU, protecting security, delivering for the nations and regions, protecting workers’ rights, and having the same benefits as a single market. That’s not precisely what you just outlined.’
Corbyn snapped back: ‘Well you’ve got the six tests there and you have read them out. You can see exactly what they are.’
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