Appearing on the BBC flagship show, Labour MP Gareth Snell told Emily Maitlis that “we should stop looking at polls” and that Labour’s position on Brexit was very clearly set out at the party’s conference in Liverpool.Labour plans on rejecting any final deal which does not meet the six tests drawn up by Keir Starmer, the Shadow Brexit Secretary.One of these tests is that the deal must offer the “exact same benefits” as membership of the single market and customs union.
Senior Conservatives have been in private contact with a number of Labour MPs over a period of several months, making the case that it is in the national interest to avoid a ‘no-deal’ outcome.
Mr Snell told Ms Maitlis: “From the 29th of March, we could be leaving the EU and we as Labour MPs have to ask ourselves ‘have we done everything we possibly can to protect jobs, protect workers’ rights, to protect consumer interests and the environment?
“And part of that is looking at whatever deal the Prime Minister brings back and asking; ‘are there things we may support?’
“This isn’t to say we should vote for it.
“But if the Prime Minister can bring back a deal that better meets where we think she should be, there may be a majority in Parliament which means we don’t crash out of the EU.”
Mr Snell’s words echoed Jeremy Corbyn’s statements at the Labour Party conference, where he said that if the Prime Minister changed her position on the customs union, Labour could support her deal.
However, it appears unlikely the Prime Minister will shift her position on the customs union as she could face the prospect of a mass Cabinet walkout.
At least four Remainer ministers are reportedly on the brink of quitting, after Boris Johnson’s brother Jo resigned on Friday.
Tory Brexiteers and the Democratic Unionist Party also warned they are prepared to sabotage Mrs May’s proposed deal.
Brexiteer Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the European Research Group of Conservative backbenchers, and the DUP’s Sammy Wilson said they would oppose any agreement which they believed threatened the union and would create a trade border down the Irish Sea.
Mr Corbyn’s party hopes to secure the opportunity for a general election by voting down the Brexit deal.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said on ITV Peston: “I want a deal, if they can’t do a deal, the Conservatives, my view is we should have a general election.
“Because in a general election you debate the issue and you choose the team.
“If we can’t get a general election, Labour Party policy is, yes, we will keep the option of another poll on the table.