Emma Reynolds: Leaders' talks better late than never
A Labour MP has called for a customs union to be part of any Brexit deal thrashed out by the Prime Minister and Jeremy Corbyn.
Emma Reynolds has welcomed talks between the two party leaders, which started today and are aimed at coming up with a series of plans to put before MPs in a bid to rule out a 'no deal' Brexit on April 12.
The talks, which were due to continue tomorrow, were described as "constructive" by both Downing Street and the Labour Party, with Number 10 saying: "We have agreed a programme of work to ensure we deliver for the British people, protecting jobs and security."
Wolverhampton North East MP Ms Reynolds said she has been "encouraged" by the cross-party talks, which she hoped would lead to the Prime Minister softening her red lines on Brexit.
She added: "I hope that this time the Prime Minister is open to compromise. It is a shame this didn't happen earlier, but better late than never.
"I really hope we can get some movement from the Government on the customs union, because a lot of my constituents depend on the car industry and the aerospace industry."
Ms Reynolds, who is a member of the Brexit Select Committee, said that "for too long" Mrs May had "only really listened to Brexit hardliners and the DUP".
On how the talks should progress, she said: "It's up to her to make an offer to us, and that seemed to be her tone."
She also said that any deal should include assurances on workers rights, saying the Government must "avoid a race to the bottom" by making sure that British workers have the same rights as the rest of the EU.
Mr Corbyn described the talks as as "useful but inconclusive".
A Labour Party spokesman said: "We have had constructive exploratory discussions about how to break the Brexit deadlock. We have agreed a programme of work between our teams to explore the scope for agreement.”
Government sources said that tomorrow's talks would be “a full day of intensive discussion” involving negotiating teams appointed by Mrs May and Mr Corbyn.
The meeting sparked fury among some Conservatives, with two ministers quitting the Government and a string of backbenchers voicing their anger during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons.
The talks followed Mrs May's dramatic announcement that she was willing to reach out to the Labour leader to find a deal which would allow her to obtain a short delay to Brexit at an emergency EU summit on April 12.
