Michael Romberg doesn’t believe Jeremy Corbyn will ever change his mind on Brexit – here he explains why.
Those who hope that Jeremy Corbyn will change his line (Zoe Williams, The New European, issue 87) should imagine what his conversion-to-Remain speech would have to say.
The first line is easy: ‘The deal that Theresa May has brought back is lousy.’
Then it gets harder. Because he has to say: ‘That is not because Theresa May is a poor negotiator. It is because Brexit is inherently lousy. All those people who told you it was going to be wonderful were talking deceitful drivel.’
Awkward. Because Jeremy Corbyn will have been making pro-Brexit speeches for more than two years. His big speech in February promised that Labour would seek to maintain the benefits of the single market and customs union, freedom of movement would end, he would spend in the UK the funds returned from Brussels and opt out of those single market rules he does not like. Boris could not have put it more optimistically.
Whatever Corbyn thinks of the substance, given what he has been saying he cannot turn around and say he is for Remain.
So, Labour supporters need to recognise that Corbyn + Remain is not going to happen; and then decide on their priority: a Labour government or Remain?
For as long as Labour Remainers prioritise their loyalty to Labour (while Labour Leavers will desert to a Brexit party if necessary), Corbyn will join May in taking us to Brexit. If Remain is your priority then you have to quit Labour.
Michael Romberg
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