Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn says he will ‘remain neutral’ in new Brexit vote if made PM
- This will let him credibly carry out referendum result and unite Britain, opposition party leader says
- Corbyn and Boris Johnson grilled on TV in special BBC question and answer session ahead of looming December 12 election
The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said on Friday he would remain neutral in any second Brexit referendum, so he could credibly carry out the result of the vote and unite the country.
Corbyn, 70, is vying to become prime minister at a December 12 election called by his Conservative rival, the current Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to resolve a deadlock in parliament over the right approach to leaving the European Union.
While Johnson wants to implement a deal he has already agreed with Brussels and leave the EU in January, Labour is promising to negotiate a new exit deal and put it to the public at a second referendum next year.
“I will adopt as prime minister, if I am, at the time, a neutral stance so that I can credibly carry out the results of that [referendum] to bring our communities and country together, rather than continuing an endless debate about the EU, and Brexit,” Corbyn said during a televised question and answer session on BBC TV.
Previously, Corbyn has said his party’s position would be determined by a special party conference on the issue.
Brexit divides many within Labour, with some senior figures angering Eurosceptic grass-roots members by saying openly they would campaign to remain in the EU.