Theresa May wants a red, white and blue Brexit, but her opponents say that’s “jingoistic claptrap”
Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed to deliver a "red, white and blue" Brexit for the UK, refusing to comment on whether that will include continued contributions to EU budgets, but her opponents say the comments are "jingoistic claptrap".
Speaking from Bahrain, May was asked about comments from some of her ministers, which has suggested the UK could continue paying into the EU to secure preferential access to the Single Market.
"Sometimes people look at this as somehow the UK taking on a particular model, the UK trying to take some of the elements of membership," she said.
"It's not about this sort of Brexit or that sort of Brexit. It'd a bout a red, white and blue Brexit that is the right Brexit, the right deal for Britain."
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Lib Dem leader Tim Farron responded: "The Prime Minister has surpassed herself with this statement. It’s jingoistic claptrap."
It comes as May faces a potential parliamentary rebellion at home, with Labour tabling a motion for tomorrow demanding the government puts forward its plans for Brexit before triggering Article 50.
The motion, drafted by Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary and former head of the Crown Prosecution Service, confirms material prejudicial to the UK's negotiations should not be published, but maintains that the government must disclose more.
Although any vote on the motion would be non-binding, it would still represent a substantial black eye for the government, which has a slim working majority of just 13 seats.
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Last night, Tory MP Anna Soubry said she would support the motion with speculation rife over the exact number of Conservatives likely to follow suit.
Downing Street would not be drawn today on whether it would table an amendment to the motion.
| Labour's motion in full |
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That this House recognises that leaving the EU is the defining issue facing the UK; notes the resolution on parliamentary scrutiny of the UK leaving the EU agreed by the House on 12 October 2016; recognises that it is Parliament’s responsibility to properly scrutinise the Government while respecting the decision of the British people to leave the European Union; confirms that there should be no disclosure of material that could be reasonably judged to damage the UK in any negotiations to depart from the European Union after Article 50 has been triggered; and calls on the Prime Minister to commit to publishing the Government’s plan for leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked. |