Michel Barnier offers 'no opinion' on Labour's Brexit alternative after meeting Jeremy Corbyn
The leader outlines Labour's position on Brexit after attending the dedication of a Brussels square to murdered MP Jo Cox.
Thursday 27 September 2018 18:52, UK
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier offered "no opinion" on whether Labour's vision on Brexit was acceptable to the EU during a meeting with Jeremy Corbyn.
The Labour leader travelled to Brussels on Thursday for talks with Mr Barnier alongside Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary.
Speaking to reporters after their discussions, Mr Corbyn said: "We've had an interesting, useful discussion with Mr Barnier.
"We have set out the views of the Labour Party surrounding Brexit following the conference speeches made by Keir Starmer and myself.
"We are obviously not negotiating. We are not in government, we are the opposition.
"But he was interested to know what our views are and the six tests we have laid down by which we will hold our government in future."
Asked if the European Commission official had said Labour's stance on Brexit was palatable for the EU, Mr Corbyn replied: "He made no opinion on this.
"It's not a negotiation, it's us informing him of what our views are and him telling us what the state of play was on the negotiations."
The Labour leader also revealed he did not ask if his party's plan would be easier for the EU to implement than Prime Minister Theresa May's Chequers plan.
"He didn't offer and we didn't ask him for opinions on that because that would be going over the line," he added.
"What we did was set out our views and then he set out in broad terms what the progress is and what the timetable is."
Prior to his discussions with the European Commission official, Mr Corbyn attended a ceremony dedicating a square in the Belgian capital to murdered MP Jo Cox.
The inauguration of Place Jo Cox was led by Mrs Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater, her parents Gordon and Jean, and Brussels mayor Philippe Close.
Mrs Cox, the former Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was killed by neo-Nazi terrorist Thomas Mair in the run up to the EU referendum in 2016.
Prior to entering parliament, the mother-of-two had spent a number of years working in Brussels as an MEP's assistant and for Oxfam.
During that time, Mrs Cox is said to have frequented the Ancienne Belgique concert hall, which backs onto the square.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Corbyn said: "Jo was killed in brutal and horrible circumstances. She lived her life to make lives better for everybody else.
"She loved her time in Brussels, she loved the spirit and the music, the internationalism, the globalism of this city, and she always gave this message, that we have far more in common, far more that unites us, than can ever possibly divide us."
He added: "It's a wonderful gesture that you, the mayor, and the council of Brussels, have decided to name this square in her memory, so that generations of people can enjoy being in this square, on beautiful days like this, enjoying music, enjoying food, enjoying life, and enjoying understanding each other."
Ms Leadbeater told Sky News her sister had "loved Brussels" and had some "very, very happy memories" from her six years in the city.
Speaking after "another difficult day", she said: "The fact the city of Brussels has chosen to remember Jo in such a way is extremely comforting to us and extremely important as well I think, in many ways.
"But everything I've done for the past two-and-a-bit years has been bittersweet."
However, Ms Leadbeater warned political divisions are "worse than ever" today despite the shock of her sister's death in a politically motivated attack.
She added: "There was a tangible sense when Jo was killed that a lot of people wanted things to change and become less divisive and, I have to be honest, I don't see any evidence of that.
"I think, if anything, it's worse than ever and to remember Jo's words around focusing on the things we have in common and, actually, accepting that we do disagree on things and there's nothing wrong with healthy debate and discussion.
"But when it descends into something much nastier and much more personal, then we have a problem. And I don't think enough people are addressing that at the moment."
Mr Corbyn's meeting with Mr Barnier comes after the EU rejected Mrs May's Chequers plan, which is also opposed by a large number of Tory MPs.
:: Chequers proposal: Here's what you need to know
Mr Corbyn's visit came 24 hours after his keynote speech to the Labour conference, where he told party members Labour will vote against Mrs May's Chequers plan as it stands.
However, he said Labour could support a "sensible" Brexit deal if Mrs May changed tack in negotiations and sought a customs union with the EU.
Mr Corbyn also confirmed Labour will call for a general election if parliament votes down the deal Mrs May brings back from the EU. If this did not occur, the party could support a fresh referendum.