Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, has called on the Prime Minister to end Brexit talks with the Labour party after their Deputy Leader, Tom Watson, described Labour as a 'remain and reform' party on the EU.
Theresa May and selected government ministers have been meeting with senior Labour figures -including Tom Watson – since mid-April in an attempt to break the Brexit impasse. On BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme Mr Watson also agreed with the Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, that it would be difficult to enforce any Brexit agreement without a public vote.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Evans said:
“Following Mr Watson’s remarks about the Labour party being a ‘remain and reform’ party, how can they be privy to talks aimed at pushing Brexit over the line. Their aim is clearer than ever – they want to stop Brexit.”
“We must not be the party to compromise on Brexit, I fear that we are reaching the point where the talks will inevitably lead to a betrayal of the largest democratic vote in British history. The public will neither forgive nor forget if we fail to leave the European Union and we must ensure we are not thwarted by the Labour party’s remain agenda.”
Labour's stated policy dictates that it supports a second Brexit referendum under certain circumstances but has rejected campaigning for one. The party has said that it will demand a public vote if it cannot secure any alterations to the EU Withdrawal Bill.