Staying in the single market and customs union would deliver it.”Her speech comes after the TUC’s general council, which represents about 50 trade union organisations, officially stated that it was in favour of remaining in the single market after a meeting on Thursday. Since that announcement, Corbyn’s spokesman has stressed the disadvantages of the single market – including state aid rules which Labour believes prevent governments from rescuing ailing businesses; and procurement rules preventing them favouring domestic firms. But unions are a key support base for Corbyn’s leadership and have become increasingly vocal about the risks of plunging out of the single market. Some of his party’s backbenchers, including former shadow health secretary Heidi Alexander and Progress chair Alison McGovern, have set up a “Labour campaign for the single market” in a bid to influence the party’s policy. Photograph: Getty ImagesOn Sunday, Tony Blair urged MPs to speak out against Brexit if they had doubts about it.

Source: The Guardian September 10, 2017 22:52 UTC