DER SPIEGEL: Not just Labour, but the whole country is extremely divided at the moment -- not least because of Brexit. If you could stop Brexit, would you?
Corbyn: We can't stop it. The referendum took place. Article 50 has been triggered. What we can do is recognize the reasons why people voted Leave.
Aha, Corbyn is not going to stop #Brexit .
Good luck understanding why people voted Leave.
I voted for Corbyn twice to be Leader of the Opposition in the UK because of his anti-austerity platform. Biggest mistake of my life. The man is absolutely clueless.
@iankenway
To be clear, are you saying you voted for him in the internal Labour leadership elections?
First of all, Corbyn needs to get control of his party. Not sure it is possible, but he needs to do it.
Secondly, he needs to forget about trying to appease the media. Regardless what he does, they will castigate him. He should follow his beliefs.
Lastly, he needs to pick his policies and stick with them. Labour say one thing this week, something else the next. Absentions are no good either.
Yes, that's right.The internal Labour leadership elections.
I agree that Corbyn shouldn't appease the media. However, his unwillingness to countenance a second EU referendum is indefensible in the light of the flawed and fraudulent nature of the first referendum in June 2016.
If the UK crashes out of the EU at the end of March 2019, then the ensuing financial chaos will scupper any hope of launching an anti-austerity agenda. Moreover, that agenda can only be pursued if Labour comes to power which won't happen if it denies the people of Britain a second vote in the matter.
You are right about the Electoral Commission being limited to the imposition of derisory fines which have zero deterrent effect.
My own view is that non-Brexiteer Tories may join forces with pro second vote Labour MPs to force HMG into a spectacular volte face. For this to happen the EU will have to play ball of course!
@iankenway
Any Tory Remainer MPs voting against the government on Brexit, would be a career ending decision. I can't see many (any) of them doing it.
My guess is Brexit will happen and there won't be a "Peoples Vote". As to what kind of Brexit, I haven't got a clue and I don't think the govt knows either. Less than 6 months and we will find out.
If the UK said they wanted to extend "membership" for another, say, 2 years, I think the EU would say "fine".
If Theresa May does go for a no deal Brexit then I expect that will be a career ending event for her.
@bob @fitheach @iankenway
That's nice for her - she's not far from joining the choir invisible, as am I, but what about the rest?
And I'm not just speaking as a citizen of the UK - Canada just took forever pounding out a trade deal with the EU. Now we have to do the same all over again for just the UK? That'll be a long time coming an all.
Well, if the expected happens then there will be no deal. That will immediately create lots of problems and Theresa May won't be able to escape the blame. She'll either resign voluntarily like Cameron did or there will be a Thatcher-like coup.
Of course she would retire in luxury, mostly isolated from the consequences of her premiership. She could even emigrate if things got really bad.
@bob @gemlog @iankenway
Regardless what happens PM May is toast. She hasn't been challenged (Thatcher style) so far, because they want her to take the blame for Brexit (whichever mess it becomes) and they get a clean slate. Mr May is very wealthy & former PMs never become destitute. Don't worry they'll be OK.
I wouldn't discount a no-deal situation happening, but I do think it is being used to "put the frighteners on".
The whole Brexit situation is spin, nothing solid to base predictions on.
@iankenway
There is a looming democratic problem, and it isn't limited to referenda. By cheating, political parties or campaign groups can win their objectives, but the Electoral Commission are limited to imposing small fines. What deterrent is a monetary fine when you can win a referendum?
I can't see a mechanism whereby a second vote on Brext could happen. The Tories won't agree to one and even if Labour wanted one, they'd need to win a General Election before April 2019.