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Brexit: John McDonnell pours cold water on May's customs union plan
Source: The Guardian
Brexit: John McDonnell pours cold water on May's customs union plan
Shadow chancellor says he has no trust in PM and likens Brexit talks to dealing with firm that is going bust
Rowena Mason Deputy political editor
Sun 5 May 2019 15.18 BST First published on Sun 5 May 2019 12.50 BST
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has poured cold water on Theresa May’s plan to offer a temporary customs union to win Labour over to a Brexit deal, saying the cross-party talks were like “trying to enter a contract with a company going into administration”.
McDonnell said his party wanted to do a deal as quickly as possible but would require a permanent customs union to provide stability for businesses, not just an interim arrangement until the next election.
He also said he had no trust in the prime minister after details of the talks were briefed to Sunday newspapers. Asked whether he trusted the prime minister, McDonnell said: “No, sorry, not after this weekend when she’s blown the confidentiality I had and I actually think she’s jeopardised the negotiations for her own personal protection.”
The negotiations are expected to enter a serious phase on Tuesday, after both leaders expressed a willingness to get a deal done following a month of technical talks.
-snip-
Shadow chancellor says he has no trust in PM and likens Brexit talks to dealing with firm that is going bust
Rowena Mason Deputy political editor
Sun 5 May 2019 15.18 BST First published on Sun 5 May 2019 12.50 BST
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has poured cold water on Theresa May’s plan to offer a temporary customs union to win Labour over to a Brexit deal, saying the cross-party talks were like “trying to enter a contract with a company going into administration”.
McDonnell said his party wanted to do a deal as quickly as possible but would require a permanent customs union to provide stability for businesses, not just an interim arrangement until the next election.
He also said he had no trust in the prime minister after details of the talks were briefed to Sunday newspapers. Asked whether he trusted the prime minister, McDonnell said: “No, sorry, not after this weekend when she’s blown the confidentiality I had and I actually think she’s jeopardised the negotiations for her own personal protection.”
The negotiations are expected to enter a serious phase on Tuesday, after both leaders expressed a willingness to get a deal done following a month of technical talks.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/05/john-mcdonnell-pours-cold-water-on-prospects-of-brexit-deal-with-may