'In what way is that Brexit?' Sky News host STUNS Gardiner over Labour's Brexit plot
SKY NEWS host Niall Paterson stunned Labour’s Barry Gardiner in an extraordinary attack on the party’s Brexit strategy.
The shadow international trade secretary was roasted over Labour’s European Union divorce plans, with the host questioning: “In what way is that Brexit?”
Speaking on Sky News, Mr Gardiner said a wedge had been driven through the heart of Government, with many different factions throughout the Conservatives squabbling over their desired Brexit.
But Paterson was quick to pick up the Labour politician on the problems within his own party.
The Sky News host said: “A wedge that clearly doesn’t necessarily exist in the Labour Party.
SKY NEWS
In what was is easy movement of EU nationals, ECJ oversight – in what way is that Brexit?
“We’ve got a pretty good idea what you want as an end state: really close alignment with the European Union, not in the customs union but perhaps a customs union – a fair assessment?”
Mr Gardiner said: “We haven’t swept the single market or customs union off the table.
“We’ve said we’re not fixated on the structure, what we want are the benefits. I think if you look at the nature of the way in which the Conservative party, they are absolutely riven on this issue of the Court of Justice and whether it is going to have sway over the UK over the next eight years.
“That is a dividing line within the Conservative party, so is the unity of the United Kingdom. The unity of the United Kingdom demands Northern Ireland and the rest of Great Britain are treated in exactly the same way.”
Paterson chimed in once again, this time stunning the shadow international trade secretary with his scathing attack on Labour’s Brexit policy.
The host said: “As we saw on Thursday night, there is a degree of growing consternation with the position the Labour Party has.
“‘We see the European Union as our greatest ally, we want to continue to trade with them as closely as possible, on terms, closely aligned as possible, we want to see easy movement of EU nations.’
“The Labour Party is not terribly annoyed about ECJ oversight… What’s the point of us leaving the European Union if that is the end state you want?”
Mr Gardiner concluded it was about “preserving” jobs and the economy, adding: “We need to make sure we are closely aligned with our major trading partner.”
Bringing an end to the discussion, Paterson blast: “In what was is easy movement of EU nationals, ECJ oversight, trading on the same terms – in what way is that Brexit?”
