Jeremy Corbyn told to 'step up to plate' as SNP renew bid to REVERSE BREXIT in 2018
JEREMY Corbyn has been called on to “step up to the plate” as Remain-voting SNP leaders demanded a stop to hard Brexit amid concerns it could cause “catastrophic damage to the economy”.
The SNP insisted the Labour leader agree to attend a cross-party Westminster summit being held next week when MPs return from their Christmas recess.
Mr Corbyn, along with other opposition leaders, was invited in a letter from Ian Blackford almost a week ago.
But while the Greens, lib Dems and Plaid Cymru indicated they would attend, Mr Corbyn has failed to reply - sparking anger among Remainers.
A spokesman for Mr Blackford told the Herald Scotland: “Both Plaid Cymru and the Greens have responded positively to this invitation. The Liberal Democrats and Labour have yet to reply.
“Jeremy Corbyn must step up to the plate and show we can work together on this issue; particularly as we know that in this parliament of minorities we can beat the UK Government on their extreme, chaotic Brexit.''
Mr Blackford’s letter called on opposition politicians to attend a ‘soft Brexit strategy meeting’ next week as Removers frantically try to put the brakes on Brexit ahead of a packed schedule for negotiators in 2018.
The SNP’s Westminster leader wrote: “As we move into the crucial second phase of the Brexit negotiations, it is now absolutely vital that we have an effective cross-party effort to safeguard our membership of the single market and customs union.
“Extreme Tory Brexit plans to drag Scotland and the UK out of the single market would cause catastrophic damage to the economy, costing hundreds of thousands of jobs and hitting people’s incomes, livelihoods and living standards for decades to come.
“It is time for MPs of all parties to put politics aside and work together in the national interest, to protect our place in the single market and customs union.
"Short of retaining our EU membership, that is by far the least damaging option, the best compromise, and the only way to protect jobs, incomes, and workers’ rights.”
READ MORE: Brexit 2018 - Key dates to look out for - and real challenges for Theresa May in New Year
This year, the EU Withdrawal Bill will return to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, with politicians expected to take part in a Parliamentary game of ping-pong to settle on a final wording.
In February, it is expected Mrs May will give another big speech on Brexit - echoing her Florence Speech of September 2017.
Lord Heseltine: Voting for Corbyn is better than Brexit
And by October it is hoped the terms of Britain’s EU exit will have been agreed after months of talks.
Mr Blackford's comments come as Corbyn insisted the Labour Party does "not advocate" a second Brexit referendum despite his deputy suggesting another ballot.
The Islington MP assured Brexiteers that his party does not want to stop the UK leaving the European Union.
But he said Labour will push for Britain to maintain a "good economic relationship" with the bloc's remaining 27 member states.