Brexit talks have begun, but Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable warns that a 'frighteningly cosy consensus' between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn is being overlooked. He argues that Labour, which won over young voters in the election, is now betraying them by supporting a hard Brexit.
Cable claims that Labour's position is confused: while some spokespeople attack hard Brexit, the party has signed up to leaving the customs union and single market. He notes that Jeremy Corbyn ordered Labour MPs to vote for the 'extreme Conservative-Ukip Brexit' and insists Brexit is 'settled'.
According to Cable, two factors have turned Labour away from its pro-European roots: an outdated 1970s doctrine that Europe is a 'capitalist club', and a fear of losing Brexit-voting seats. He argues that the latter fear was exaggerated, as the Liberal Democrats won seats that were strongly pro-Brexit.
Cable criticises both main parties for ignoring the real problems driving immigration concerns, such as housing and training shortages, which are made in Westminster, not Brussels. He calls for Labour to reconsider its stance and work with other opposition parties to oppose a damaging hard Brexit.
