Suzanne Evans: Labour putting ‘elitist agenda above will of people’ over Brexit

LABOUR were today accused of putting an “elitist agenda above the will of the British people” after John McDonnell signalled the party would accept continued uncontrolled EU immigration.


In a keynote speech today on Britain’s post-Brexit economy, the shadow chancellor claimed Labour is “prepared” to argue for the “the benefits of free trade over the perceived costs of migration”.

Mr McDonnell vowed Labour would insist a Brexit deal between Britain and the EU must include “tariff-free Single Market access” at least in the short-term.

This is despite the hard-left politician noting “full Single Market access implies freedom of movement” for EU migrants.

Ukip leadership candidate Suzanne Evans insisted Labour’s continuing acceptance of EU freedom of movement post-Brexit would be a betrayal of the EU referendum vote.

Suzanne EvansPA

Ukip leadership candidate Suzanne Evans lashed out at John McDonnell's comments

Mr McDonnell appeared to suggest an “eventual deal” between the UK and Brussels could then continue to be negotiated.

He added: “Over the longer term, we have a choice to make.



“Labour is prepared to make that case.”

It's traditional working-class Labour voters who suffer most from mass uncontrolled immigration.

Suzanne Evans

Mr McDonnell claimed Labour would not make “cynical promises like the Conservatives on reducing migrant numbers, knowing full well they can't be met on the scale, or time scale, with the methods they propose.”

The shadow chancellor also blamed “the old economic model” for pressures on wages and housing.





Pushed later to address immigration concerns that many have cited as a major cause of the Brexit vote, Mr McDonnell said: “Labour's policy has always been about managed migration, about what the economy needs and what society needs overall.

"What we experienced during the referendum ... people voted on a whole range of issues, one of which was their concern about the low standard of living.

“They actually looked at migration being exploited by employers and others to undermine that standard of living.

"What we will negotiate is a future with Europe that protects people's standards of living, that doesn't allow migration to be used and exploited in that way. And in that way I believe we can build a coherent, cohesive Britain in the future."

But Ms Evans told “This once again shows Labour are determined to tear up the democratic rule book and put their elitist agenda above the will of the British people.

“It's traditional working-class Labour voters who suffer most from mass uncontrolled immigration.

“Ukip is the only party that recognises the damage it's doing to them. That's why we are going to clean up Labour votes under a new leader.”


Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer has said Labour should be 'open' to immigration controls

Mr McDonnell’s comments also put him at odds with other leading Labour figures.

Earlier this month, Labour’s new shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer insisted the number of foreign nationals coming to the UK “should be reduced”.

The former barrister insisted the party should also be “open” to supporting controls on EU freedom of movement rules as part of Brexit.

But Labour’s shadow home secretary Diane Abbott pointedly refused to back up her shadow cabinet colleague.