Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn: Withdrawal agreement does not meet our tests - BBC News

In response, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says the withdrawal agreement and political declaration represent a "huge and damaging failure".

He says the government has negotiated a "botched deal" that breaches its own red lines.

The withdrawal agreement, he says, "does not meet" Labour's six Brexit tests.

The withdrawal deal is a "leap in the dark", but he tells MPs that leaving the EU without a deal is "not a real option".

Jeremy Corbyn asks the PM to confirm that if the government cannot agree a comprehensive relationship by January 2021, then negotiations will change back to extending the transition period.

"The backstop locks Britain into a backstop from which it cannot leave without the agreement of the EU," he says, and no "guarantee exists for workers' rights".

"The list of EU measures that continue to apply" runs to "68 pages of the agreement", he says.

"It is utterly far-fetched for the prime minister to suggest that we have taken control of our laws, money and borders," he states.

He calls the draft agreement a "substantial dilution" from May's previous commitments.

"Uncertainty continues for business and all those who works in those businesses," he states, "many companies may decide the lack of certainty simply means they will Brexit".

"There is no ambition to achieve continuation of the European arrest warrant," he adds. #BREXIT #BBC #NEWS

[justarandomnobody]

No-one either side is happy with the deal. Means it will probably get done.

[whereiskenneth]

This is like watching a bloody, slowly unfolding horror movie that never ends.

[aaronstone]

1:44 How can the PM of any country push a laugh at this serious subject matter..

[oneworldgonewrong]

I can't stand Corbyn but thank God even the Left can see the insanity of this deal....
LEAVE..OUT..OUT..OUT!!!

[greatermad]

I don't live in the UK
But watching this like it's my own country news

[davidellis]

Corbyn Pouncing on May & Tories in General. A 🇬🇧 hero. The next PM.

[valeriesmith]

I voted for Remain, but the Labour party would do much better. David Davis and Boris Johnson wasted time and they are a disgrace.

[WhitneyHoustoneva]

One way to sorting out the Ireland problem Give NI back to the Irish

[russellsavory]

The current "deal" clearly shows that the UK can't leave the EU without taking on significant damage.

[meliho]

Isn't it noisy also for Jeremy Corbyn that someone is continuously and breakingly intruding into an obvious speech? That clear speech does not need any redundant verification.

[denisesinclair]

I hate red corbyn.but if the conservatives sell us out.i will vote for red corbyn.every time.

[FH-cmdj]

Hearing Thornberry say "yep" constantly is getting in my nerves.

[pauljosephbuggle]

How can the EU conceivably do a deal with such a divided country? The UK just can't provide any possible gaurantee that what they say one day won't be different the next day.
It's pathetic and yet they blame the EC. Whinge, whinge, whinge....

[conorwatt]

You know corbyn is right when the Tory back benchers agree with him

[DaveHammondDublin]

how exactly do the brexiteers think that an agreement can 'honour' the brexit is NO deal possible that isnt just .a very damaging hard brexit for the UK - I am not hearing ANY solutions by brexiteers. UK is in a shambles - have another vote and stop this nonsense

[BrettSmithDaniels]

Corbyn, please campaign for a second referendum! Democracy is at play in demanding one, please listen!

[humbleonemoretime]

There is something everyone seems to forget the Eu sitting across the table from the Uk has a bigger say and Northern Ireland is biggest hurdle in their advantage whatever the outcome it will be uncomfortable to some and unacceptable to the rest

[Amadeus-mslt]

When UKIP, Labour and most of Conservatives agree, you know the world is coming to an end.

[johnmunro]

There will be another referendum on if people want to be in the EU or go onto WTO rules/No Deal. We won’t be leaving the EU now

[michaelthorpe]

Good to see the draft deal assessed based on it text rather than rhetoric.