Neil Kinnock accuses Labour leader of Jeremy Corbyn ‘serious evasion of duty’ over Brexit single market stance
The former Labour leader, who led the party from 1983 to 1992, said Corbyn's actions could lead to 'the rockslide of hard Brexit' in a row that could tear the party apart
NEIL Kinnock has warned Jeremy Corbyn that failing to support keeping Britain in the single market would be a "serious evasion of duty".
The former Labour leader, who led the party from 1983 to 1992, said Corbyn's stance on the single market could lead to "the rockslide of hard Brexit".
He also said that arguments against the single market formed part of an "infantile leftist illusion" in an interview with
Mr Kinnock added: "'It would be a serious evasion of duty if Labour did not seize this chance to protect our country from the rockslide of 'hard' Brexit.
"By supporting continued (European Economic Area) participation we can end the prime minister's deference to the cliff-edge kamikaze squad and force her, or her successor, into the pragmatic patriotism of putting country before party."
He added: "I respect our Labour leadership in the Lords and I value loyalty. But I have also said that the virtue, in excess, fills graveyards.
"Neither the EEA nor the EU are part of the socialist superstate of neocon delusion, or of the global capitalist adventure playground of infantile leftist illusion."
Corbyn has followed Theresa May in ruling out staying in the single market, as it would keep trade frictionless but would also mean keeping free movement.
This week the Government were defeated on an amendment that would force Britain to remain a member of the European Economic Area 245 to 218 — but they immediately vowed to unpick the demand.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Corbyn ordered his peers to abstain but was ignored by 83 of them.
The Labour chief now faces a major rebellion from Remain supporting Labour MPs when the EU Withdrawal Bill returns to the Commons in two weeks time - in a row that could tear his party apart.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.