Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has faced widespread criticism for his unclear position on Brexit after failing to show outright support Labour MPs’ calls for a second Brexit referendum. Hosting BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Mr Humphrys told Labour’s Baroness Shami Chakrabarti: “Jeremy Corbyn is, of course, an elected Member of Parliament as well but he hasn’t expressed his view as forcefully as Tom Watson and Keir Starmer. Has he?”

He has to lead as well. That is the whole point of a leader

John Humphrys

In response, Baroness Chakrabarti said: “Obviously, people represent different parts of the country, different constituents.

“But what Jeremy has to do as the leader of the opposition is to desperately try to bring people together.

“The Labour Party, as you know, like the country, was split.”

But the BBC host hit back and blasted: “He has to lead as well. That is the whole point of a leader.”

Baroness Chakrabarti replied: “Absolutely. Which is why he has been doing the opposite of Theresa May and he has been meeting Members of Parliament from across the House and not been criticising them for disagreeing with him but trying to find common ground with them.

“And these indicative votes that I hope we will have this week, I hope that the Government will respect.

“I was very concerned when the Brexit Secretary yesterday was suggesting that they wouldn’t be binding.”

Mr Corbyn reached out to other parties last week in hope of getting a consensus among MPs on Brexit.

A Labour statement stated that Mr Corbyn had “positive and detailed discussions” with the MPs last week.

The discussions revolved around a common market 2.0 idea – an initiative where the UK would keep single market access via membership of the European Free Trade Area.

The comments come as Prime Minister Theresa May fights for her political life at a crunch Cabinet showdown this morning.

The Prime Minister fought off a weekend coup at Chequers but Brexiteer ministers are expected to demand her resignation at Number 10 today.

Brexiteer heavyweights Boris Johnson, Steve Barclay, Dominic Raab, Iain Duncan Smith, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Steve Baker and David Davis laid down the gauntlet at the Prime Minister’s country retreat yesterday during three hours of “frank” talks.

Mrs May ordered the Brexiteers to support her deal or risk a soft Brexit or not leaving the EU at all the day after more than one million people descended on London demanding a second referendum.

Source: Read Full Article