How Corbyn can help overcome Brexit uncertainty
There are exactly 80 days until Britain leaves the European Union. There are six days until Theresa May presents her Brexit deal to the Commons to vote on. This leaves just 74 days for the UK to gather support for a People’s Vote, a rejuvenated deal or a newly-elected government to renegotiate with the EU. That leaves very little time and options for a country knee-deep in a political catastrophe.
The Conservative party has failed tremendously to achieve unwavering support from the public. A back-and-forth between parliament and the government has resulted in a no-confidence motion, a delayed meaningful vote and several resignations from the frontbenches. They have censured the idea of a second referendum, giving the decision of the outcome of Brexit back to the people. They have quarrelled with their opponents and their own internal rebels with no sign of suppressing it for a cordial dialogue. It is clear our Tory-led government are incompetent in conveying leadership skills that are precedent during this calamity.
With the administration faltering at every possible twist and turn they face; the electorate then looks for an alternative. Somehow, the Labour party is also struggling to get to grips with Brexit. Jeremy Corbyn has uttered ambiguous statements throughout this process. His most projecting comment recently was an attempt to confirm that his Labour government, if elected, will continue to negotiate leaving the EU. This claps back against the vast majority of his party’s MPs and members who wish to back a People’s Vote.
It has been revealed that an estimated 201 constituency Labour parties (CLP’s) are preparing to submit pro-referendum motions to be debated. Around 72% of Labour’s membership want the party to front an anti-Brexit and anti-Tory manifesto. They urge the Labour leadership to vote against May’s deal next week and embark on a campaign to promote a second referendum. With all this being claimed, Corbyn has remained reluctant to align with his party. It is frustrating and certainly time-consuming to watch the party you have the most faith in turn a blind eye to a hazardous and duped process.
The People’s Vote would not assume that the UK has to maintain EU membership. The public could mobilise support and vote for Leave for a second time, but this time they would have clearer vision on their future. If the result of the referendum is Leave, then Corbyn must act on the notion that voters have now decided with clarity and transparency. He could then opt to campaign on a Brexit policy that would rival a corrupt and exhausted Conservative one. Maybe Corbyn’s fear, however, is that a People’s Vote would alienate the 61% of Labour constituencies that voted to leave in 2016. Although this may be a validated worry for the opposition gearing up to be in Number 10, it does not help the many Leave voters who feel regret. Or maybe Corbyn, a lifelong Eurosceptic who pledged allegiance to the Remain camp for the referendum, slyly envisions a socialist revolt without the EU on his case.
If Corbyn was to show off a courageous leadership ability, he would back a People’s Vote. Instead, he reverts back to the 2016 result and the public’s distrust of Brussels. The 2016 result, arguably, now seems futile compared to what is known now. A no-deal Brexit scenario was never on the cards when the Leave team fought vociferously for an EU withdrawal. Now the country is preparing for the no-deal nightmare since their representatives have failed to tackle this political wrecking ball.
As the process unravels in parliament, the Metropolitan police are training their riot squad to quash protests if a no-deal Brexit is enforced. Immigrants and EU nationals are fleeing to their homeland to leave a destitute workforce and unbalanced migration system behind amidst a no-deal. The county of Kent is imposing measures for when border queues become longer once Britain crashes out of the European market. Whilst all this is happening, what are the Labour party doing? They are being complicit. They watch whilst their opponents make a mockery of a political civil war.
With a People’s Vote, the public can return to the polls once more. Eager to have their voices heard in these polarising times, they could have the final say on the future of their country. If Corbyn believes in the “many not the few”, he should pledge to put the vote back to the people.
