Jeremy Corbyn defends 'neutral' Brexit stance and claims it's a 'sign of strength' as rivals hit out at 'failure of leadership'

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Jeremy Corbyn described himself as an 'honest broker'
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Stephanie Cockroft23 November 2019
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Jeremy Corbyn has defended his decision to remain "neutral" in a second EU referendum, saying it was a sign of "strength and maturity".

The Tories poured scorn on the plan, accusing Mr Corbyn of "deciding to be indecisive" on the biggest issue facing the country.

But on an election campaign stop in Sheffield, he insisted he was offering a "sensible way forward" which could finally bring the country together.

"I think being an honest broker and listening to everyone is actually a sign of strength and a sign of maturity," he said.

Jeremy Corbyn outside the Amazon depot in Sheffield
PA

"My role as the Labour prime minister would be to ensure that is carried out in a fair way, that the offers put are fair, and that I will carry out the result of that referendum.

"I think this is actually a sensible way forward that actually can bring people together."

However Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Labour leader's stance "won't wash" with the electorate.

"He has actively decided to be indecisive on the biggest issue of the day. It won't wash with voters," he told Sky News's Sophy Ridge On Saturday programme.

"I think it is an absolute disaster. You can't ask this country to be its prime minister while not having a view on the biggest issue of the day."

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson was also scathing about Mr Corbyn's pledge, describing him as a "bystander".

She accused Mr Corbyn of "an absence of leadership" on what she said was the biggest issue facing the UK in generations.

During a campaign visit to the Design Museum in west London, she said: "I think it is quite astonishing that Jeremy Corbyn is refusing to say, and so publicly, not even just refusing to say now where he stands on remaining or leaving the European Union, but is basically saying that he is never going to tell people what he thinks about that.

"I mean, this is the biggest issue facing our country for generations and he is just saying he is not interested in telling people what he thinks.

"To me I think that is a total absence of leadership. Remainers in this country need a leader, not a bystander."

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage also said the stance showed a “failure of leadership”.

Boris Johnson during the BBC Question Time debate on Friday
Getty Images

During a stop for a drink at the King John Tavern in Hartlepool, Mr Farage said: “Brexit is the defining issue of our day and the leader of the Labour Party is going to abstain from that.

“I find that astonishing. It’s a failure of leadership. It’s also a reflection that he knows his own parliamentary party are Remainers… so he’s still trying to stay on that fence and it’s not working.

“And I think, frankly, people would say just come down on one side or the other and I think my feeling is the Labour campaign is bombing and that last night made it worse.”

Mr Corbyn has faced repeated criticism for refusing to say which way he would vote, even though senior colleagues like shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry have said they would back Remain.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage eats a millionaire shortbread while on the General Election campaign trail in Hartlepoo
PA

He sought to draw a line under the controversy when he appeared on BBC's Question Time on Friday, saying he would be "neutral" so he could "credibly" deliver the result of the referendum, whatever the outcome.

But he faced mocking laughter from some in the studio audience as he sought to explain his position.

Shadow employment rights secretary Laura Pidcock said the party has chosen to trust the voters rather than try to dictate to them.

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"I think it's the brave position to have taken because what we are saying is we trust the people to have the final say," she told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"I think fundamentally though, Jeremy Corbyn has been so strong in saying he's not going to dictate to people one way or another, but we absolutely trust the people to have that final say."

Pressed on whether a Labour Brexit negotiating team would contain Leave supporters as well as Remainers, she said: "I think that there will be, as in the country, a variety of opinions around that table."

Mr Corbyn announced his position on Brexit on Question Time
PA

Meanwhile Mr Corbyn came under renewed pressure from the SNP which warned he would have to agree to a second referendum on Scottish independence if he was to secure their support in the event of a hung parliament after the election on December 12.

The Labour leader has been adamant he will not do deals with other parties and that an independence referendum would not be a "priority" in the early years of a Labour government.

However the SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford warned he may have little choice if he wants to secure the keys to No 10.

"If the people in Scotland send a very strong group of SNP MPs to Westminster, we will be the king makers in that situation," he told the Today programme.

"He will give way on this. He will recognise that is the right thing to do. We are certainly not going to get into discussions on other matters until we have resolved that matter."

Mr Corbyn was not the only leader to endure a rough ride from the audience for the Question Time special in Sheffield.

Boris Johnson was challenged over his trustworthiness and "racist rhetoric" while Ms Swinson came under pressure for her pledge to stop Brexit if the Lib Dems win the election.

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