Tom Watson: Too early to say how Labour will vote on Theresa May's Brexit plan
It is too early to say whether Labour would definitely vote down Theresa May's Brexit plans in the Commons, Tom Watson has said.
Several senior Labour figures, including Keir Starmer and and Emily Thornberry, have suggested Labour will vote against any Brexit deal presented by Mrs May, increasing the likelihood of inflicting an embarrassing, and potentially fatal, defeat on the Prime Minister.
Mrs May is battling to ensure she reaches a deal with EU leaders, who are remaining stubborn over her proposals. Her trip to Salzburg in Austria last week ended without moving any closer to a deal, increasing fears Britain could crash out without a deal in March. She is facing growing pressure from within her party to ditch the Chequers plan but the defiant Prime Minister has insisted she will not budge.
Deputy leader Mr Watson said it would be an 'absolute economic catastrophe' if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.
Labour looks poised to try and help inflict a damaging defeat on Mrs May, whose Government is propped up in the Commons by the DUP. Should Labour vote against the proposals, along with the SNP and Lib Dems, there could be enough opposition from Brexiteer Tories to see her defeated.
But, asked by the Express & Star whether Labour intended to vote against the Prime Minister come what may, Mr Watson remained coy.
He said: "It is too early to tell what the position will be - we don't know what it will be. In opposition it is frustrating because we are not around the table negotiating.
"We have done everything we can to try and make sure the interests of UK workers are served in this deal."
Labour has also faced questions about its own stance on Brexit but backs retaining access to the single market, in contrast to Mrs May.
The MP for West Bromwich East said: "We want a jobs-first Brexit deal. We have said to the Prime Minister we are very concerned, she needs to ensure something looking like the customs union - particularly for the West Midlands region and manufacturing, getting goods to market without barriers to tariffs is vital.
"We are all concerned to hear about Jaguar Land Rover saying about a three-day week. That is a threat to jobs in the Black Country by the way. The supply chain extends to the Black Country from the Mini Cowley???? plant.
"We want the best deal for Britain and the Midlands. It would be an absolute economic disaster if we have a no-deal Brexit."
