The Labour frontbencher claimed his party will be the only party going into the EU elections trying to appeal to both sides of the Brexit debate and represent fairly the majority of the population. But Channel 4 News host Jon Snow blasted the Labour MP for failing to be clear on his party stance and continuing to avoid taking a definite position ahead of the elections. Mr Snow said: “At the end of the day, you look like a pull me push me party.

“On the face of the very straight Nigel Farage and the forces that are absolutely determined to push ahead with whatever Brexit they can get, you seem to be very indistinct tonight.”

Mr Gardiner responded arguing his party has been “quite clear” in its promise to deliver on the 2016 referendum result. But the Labour MP failed once again to come up with a concrete counter solution. 

He said: “I reject that entirely because you see the vision that Nigel Farage has is of a no deal Brexit, a deregulated Brexit and we would go on to the disaster that would be the World Trade Organisation terms.

“What we said is quite clear. That is we will respect the referendum result.

“We should leave the European Union but we should do it in a way that will protect jobs, protect environmental standards and rights, protection in the workplace.”

At the end of the day, you look like a pull me push me party

Jon Snow

“What you do seem to be saying is that you will have a referendum if there isn’t a deal and you will have a referendum if you can’t get anything else.

“It’s a kind of backstop.”

Brexit talks between Labour and the Conservatives have so far proved fruitless over the last few weeks.

Jeremy Corbyn is a proponent of a customs union but has reportedly refused to agree to demands for a second referendum on the final Brexit deal at a meeting of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee in order to placate the Tories.

With the time ticking on the talks, Chief Whip Julian Smith reportedly told Cabinet that it was now “time to get real”.

A Government source also said that the talks between the two-sided had been “warmer” than the previous month’s meeting.

They added: “Previously it felt as if they were just going through the motions but it now feels as though they are engaging more.”

The Prime Minister has insisted she wants the cross-party talks with the opposition over by next week following the results of this Thursday’s council elections.

Eurosceptics within the Conservative Party were warned that a deal with Jeremy Corbyn to deliver Brexit would be better than the disaster of not honouring the referendum result.

During a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mrs May was backed by Environment Secretary, Michael Gove who insisted ministers must back a deal with Labour as it is now the only way to deliver Brexit.

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