Jeremy Corbyn has warned against allowing the Conservatives to negotiate Brexit, arguing that worker’s rights would be at risk
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will today warn that a vote for Brexit would allow the Conservatives a strong hand in reducing workers' rights.
Speaking at the Institute of Engineering Technology, Corbyn will reiterate warnings from the TUC, that rights would be imperilled by a vote to leave.
“A vote to leave means a Conservative government would then be in charge of negotiating Britain’s exit,” Corbyn will say.
“Everything they have done as a government so far means we could not rely on them to protect the workplace rights that millions rely on.”
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It comes two weeks after Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned against a “Tory Brexit” that he argued would bring further austerity measures to the UK.
And speaking today, the Labour leader will also play up the EU's contributions to worker's rights, in particular the working time directive.
“That is why we say, the threat to the British people is not the European Union – it is a Conservative government here in Britain, seeking to undermine the good things we have achieved in Europe and resisting changes that would benefit the ordinary people of Britain,” Corbyn will say.
“A vote to Leave means a Conservative government would then be in charge of negotiating Britain’s exit. Everything they have done as a government so far means we could not rely on them to protect the workplace rights that millions rely on. A Tory Brexit negotiation would be a disaster for the majority of people in Britain.”
Corbyn will also stress that the Labour party remains overwhelmingly in favour of a remain vote, while also pushing for European reforms, which he will argue will improve the position of consumers and workers, while also further democratising the EU and leaving it better placed to handle migration.
“We recognise that our membership offers a crucial route to meeting the challenges we face in the 21st century, on climate change, on restraining the power of global corporations and ensuring they pay fair taxes, on tackling cyber-crime and terrorism, on ensuring trade is fair with protections for workers and consumers and in addressing refugee movements,” he will say.
“Britain will be stronger if we co-operate with our neighbours in facing those challenges together.”