What the 2019 Labour manifesto says about Brexit

Labour’s General Election 2019 manifesto has been published today, and its Brexit section is titled, “The Final Say on Brexit”.

The key line of the manifesto on Brexit is that Labour will deliver a second referendum:

“Labour will give the people the final say on Brexit. Within three months of coming to power, a Labour government will secure a sensible deal. And within six months, we will put that deal to a public vote alongside the option to remain. A Labour government will implement whatever the people decide.“

Time and time again, including in their 2017 manifesto, Labour have said that they accept the 2016 referendum result, but many will be wondering how exactly ignoring the first referendum and having another one, does that.

Labour’s broad priorities for their re-negotiated Brexit deal are as follows:

• “A permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union, which is vital to protect our manufacturing industry and allows the UK to benefit from joint UK-EU trade deals, and is backed by businesses and trade unions“
• “Close alignment with the Single Market – ensuring we have a strong future economic relationship with the EU that can support UK businesses”
• “Dynamic alignment on workers’ rights, consumer rights and environmental protections so that UK standards keep pace across Europe as a minimum, allowing the UK to lead the way, not fall behind“
• “Continued participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in such vital areas of co-operation as the environment, scientific research and culture”
• “Clear commitments on future security arrangements, including access to the European Arrest Warrant and shared databases, making people safer at home and abroad“

The manifesto confirms that Labour would:

• “Labour will secure a revised Withdrawal Agreement that provides legal protection for citizens’ rights, meets our international obligations – particularly with regard to the Good Friday Agreement – and ensures an appropriate transition period to allow businesses and citizens to adapt to any new arrangements“
• “We will also secure robust and legally binding protections for workers’ rights, consumer standards and environmental protections, and ensure level-playing- field protections are maintained. Labour will never accept an outcome that puts rights and standards at risk”
• “Once we have secured this new deal we will put it to a legally binding referendum alongside the option of remaining in the EU. This will take place within the first six months of a Labour government“

The document also states that the second referendum “will not be a re-run of 2016. It will be legally binding. Labour will implement the decision of the British people immediately”.

Labour’s manifesto adds that they will:

“Scrap the Brexit legislation currently proposed by the Tories and introduce new legislation that is in line with Labour’s priorities and principles to protect our economy, trade, jobs and rights. This will include new legislation to ensure support and certainty for UK farmers, our fishing industry and protection for our natural environment.”

And on immigration, Labour’s manifesto states that:

• “Labour recognises the huge benefits of immigration to our country. Many British citizens have benefited from freedom of movement, which has given them the opportunity to study, work or retire abroad. Likewise our public services and our industry have benefited from skilled workers coming here”
• “Labour believes that citizens’ rights should never have been used as a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations, and recognises the huge anxiety this has caused for the three million EU nationals living in the UK and the 1.2 million UK nationals who have made their home elsewhere in the EU”
• “We will end the uncertainty created by the EU Settlement Scheme by granting EU nationals the automatic right to continue living and working in the UK. This new declaratory system will allow EU nationals the chance to register for proof of status if they wish, but will mean they no longer have to apply to continue living and working in this country“

The Brexit section concludes by stating that “the EU needs a new political direction and, if the people decide the UK should remain in the EU, Labour will lead the way to ensure that change,” and on the outcome of the second referendum, Labour pledges that: 

• “If the country decides to remain, a Labour government will take a different approach and strive to ensure that the EU works for people across our communities. The EU should focus on policies that value investment, protect public services and make those who have the most pay their fair share”
• If people decide to leave, a Labour government will work constructively with the EU on vital issues of mutual interest and to the mutual benefit of the UK and EU. But we will leave the EU. Most importantly, under a Labour government, you will get the final say on Brexit“

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* This article was originally published here