Labour 'ready to fight no-deal Brexit,' says Sir Keir Starmer

11 September 2019, 00:45

Labour MPs “will be ready” to fight a no-deal Brexit when the Commons returns in October, Sir Keir Starmer is set to say in a speech on Wednesday.

The shadow Brexit secretary will tell the Trades Union Congress that the party will not be silenced in its bid to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal despite the suspension of Parliament.

In a speech in Brighton on Wednesday, Mr Starmer will tell the TUC that Labour will have to "clean up the mess left by the Tories" in relation to Brexit and "draw a line" under the Government's "failed" negotiations.

His speech comes on the same day that Labour deputy leader Tom Watson is set to call on his party to back a second Brexit referendum, despite Jeremy Corbyn saying he would not hold another vote before a general election.

Sir Keir is expected to tell delegates: "Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson now thinks that by shutting down Parliament he will shut us up. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Just as we worked throughout the summer to pass a law preventing no deal, so we will work each and every day we are shut down to enforce that law.

"Prime Minister: you can hide from Parliament for a few weeks, but when we return we will be ready."

Sir Keir will also warn that his party will "very soon" have to beat the Conservatives at the ballot box.

He will add: "Brexit will of course be a crucial issue at this election. We have to draw a line under the wasted years of Tory rule and failed negotiations.

"We will have to break the deadlock. And clean up the mess left by the Tories.

"A referendum is the only way to do so. And that is why Jeremy (Corbyn) was right to say at Congress yesterday that an incoming Labour government will commit to a referendum.

"And, of course, 'remain' should and will be on the ballot paper along with a credible option to leave."