Rebecca Long Bailey is the Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary of the Labour Party in the Houses of Parliament.
Apeparing on today’s edition of BBC Breakfast, Bailey began by declaring the “damage” a No-Deal Brexit would cause would be “unfathomable”, predicting job losses across the country, and she insisted the Labour Party will do everything they possibly can to “stop” these issues.
“People have been making a lot of noise for Jeremy Corbyn to do something about it,” Naga Munchetty chimed in. “He’s left it pretty late hasn’t he?
“He’s not left it pretty late…” Bailey opposed, as Munchetty shot back: “Well… look at the time!”
But Bailey wouldn’t budge, as the MP insisted her party has been “clear since the referendum happened that we would do everything we possibly can to avoid a No-Deal situation”.
“We’ve attempted over the last two years to compromise,” the politician went on. “Even holding discussions with the government to try and find a compromise deal, but unfortunately we are in the situation we’re in now, and we’re running out of time unless we collaborate on a cross-party basis.
“That’s why I’m calling on Opposition parties and back-bench MPs to support Jeremy’s letter. We could be in a position where we do leave the European Union without a deal on the 31st October.”
Pressed by host Charlie Stayt to confirm whether or not Corbyn could be replaced with a different candidate should the government ask for change, Bailey refused to clarify one way or the other, eventually throwing out the question: “Well if it isn’t Jeremy, who would it be and who would determine that?”
But Munchetty was more concerned with the outcome if Corbyn gets his way and the government decides to hold another referendum.
“There’s the No-Deal Brexit that Boris Johnson’s offering, which would essentially be off the cards if Jeremy is Prime Minister, or remaining in the EU, what is he actually offering people to vote on?” the broadcast journalist demanded.
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“Our official policy at the moment is to ensure that the public have their say in our terms of exit from the EU,” Bailey deflected once more, as Munchetty cut in to prompt the guest to confirm what it would say.
“In the event of the situation that we’re in at the moment,” Bailey continued. “So if it’s a bad deal then the Labour party would actively campaign for remain in terms of what Jeremy’s asking for…”
“So Labour party is now a Remain Party?” the alarmed presenter asked.
“In the event, as I say, that we end up with a no deal or a bad situation…” the went on, ignoring the question directly.
“Today? Today? What is it today?” Munchetty demanded once more.
“Today that’s the position we’re in…” Bailey clarified. “At the moment we’re facing a No-Deal or potentially a bad deal from this present government, and that would be unacceptable, so in the event that we went to a public vote under these circumstances, we would campaign for Remain.”
Munchetty insisted she was also a “member of the public”, and asked what her choices would be in the referendum should Corbyn come into power as the caretaker Prime Minister.
“Well what he’s asking for at the moment is an extension to Article 50 in order to call a general election,” Bailey said, again ignoring the question. “Now if the position’s changed after having had…
“He has said there will be a choice, what would be my choice?” Munchetty interrupted, and Bailey eventually confirmed there would be an option between “No-Deal and Remain”, insisting Labour don’t support No-Deal in any situation.
“At this time if there was to be a public vote it would be between No-Deal and Remain, because there are no other options as far as I’m aware. We know the Prime Minister hasn’t managed to secure any concessions or indeed tried to renegotiate any other deal so at present time those are the options,” the politician finished.
Earlier this week, sports reporter Sally Nugent apologised to weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood after taking a swipe out of the fan-favourite host.
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays at 6am on BBC One.