The choice facing Labour next week on the EEA: a thread
However worthy or well-intentioned the amendment put forward by @Keir_Starmer is, it has no chance of passing. Zero. None whatsoever. This is because potential Tory rebels are either concerned by its substance, or don’t want to be seen to be backing a JC amendment, or both. (1)
The EEA amendment put forward by Labour’s Lord Alli in the Lords can success - if, and only if, Labour MPs are whipped to vote for it. If we do, there will be more Tories than the ‘usual suspects’ prepared to vote for it. (2)
Were the EEA amendment to pass, it would be a watershed moment for the Brexit negotiations. Theresa May will be forced to revise the Government’s negotiating position to reflect the desire of a clear majority of MPs for a softer Brexit that would better protect livelihoods (3)
Were the EEA amendment to pass, it would force the Conservative Party to finally have a reckoning between the Hard Brexit ERG brigade led by Jacob Rees-Mogg who are calling the shots and the majority of Tory MPs who don’t agree with them. (4)
Given we have an opportunity to defeat the Government, to achieve a better outcome for jobs and livelihoods and, frankly, to cause trouble for the Tories, I can’t understand why we’re snatching defeat from the jaws of victory (5)
Brexit isn’t an easy issue for Labour. The Shadow Cabinet have a difficult job navigating it. But ultimately, the Labour Party doesn’t exist to make our jobs easier, but to make other people’s jobs safer. If a ‘jobs first Brexit’ is to mean anything we need to vote for it. (6)
On Labour’s challenge:
1. Free movement - EEA makes provision for better controls. We should make this argument. But are we seriously sacrificing the EEA option because we believe JC will adopt a ‘tougher line’ on immigration than the EU? Really? (7)
1. Free movement - EEA makes provision for better controls. We should make this argument. But are we seriously sacrificing the EEA option because we believe JC will adopt a ‘tougher line’ on immigration than the EU? Really? (7)
2. Seats that voted Leave - I represent a Leave seat on the Essex border. I’m not sure how our front bench amendment is any easier to sell than the EEA. Given we’re likely to vote against the final deal at this rate, do we really think that’ll be an easier sell than EEA? (8)
We have a simple choice next week: defeat the Government to put jobs first, or let the Tories off the hook and give the Rees-Moggs off this world an easy ride to make our jobs easier. (9)
If there are Labour MPs who would rebel against a whip in favour of the EEA, they should speak up and explain why. The numbers being floated are completely phoney. As it stands, I will vote for the Alli amendment come what may and hope our front bench do the same (10)
