Dear Tim

The British people also voted against brexit or didn't you get that memo? Why are only those voting for the insanity that is brexit British and people? You seem utterly unaware of the exclusionary implications of the language that you are using. 48% of people voting in the EU referendum voted against leaving, who represents us?

How is Labour 'pushing the government' on brexit if it has already stated that it will not block the implementation of Article 50? How can Labour call itself 'the opposition' if its policy position on brexit is the same as that of the government?

Fact is, the government is laughing at you. We are half way through January already and where is their plan? Nowhere. Far from being smart, you are being used as their stooges. You won't get a chance to scrutinise it, much less hold the government to account. This will be a right-wing brexit and you will be the useful idiots. 

And on top of this, if there is a right way to do brexit, the government is doing it wrong. Completely wrong. If it cannot be trusted with the NHS, and it can't, then it cannot be trusted with Brexit. May I suggest you read Brexit: What the hell happens next? by Ian Dunt.

Brexit like the EU referendum is being rushed. There was far more consultation on a third runway at Heathrow than there has been on brexit and you must ask yourselves the reason for this. It is being rushed because the Tories know that if it was properly managed and reviewed it would not be implemented and the reason for this is that it will not provide any specific benefit to the country. On the other hand it will be a costly administrative nightmare that will destroy good jobs and damage our relationship with our closest neighbours for decades to come.

On top of everything else, I and most of my compatriots will lose our EU citizenship rights. These are the specific, tangible and enforceable rights to live, work, run a business and retire to another 27 countries on the same footing as if we were citizens of that country. I would happily retain those rights over and above any 'benefit' that brexit might provide me.

So if you really want to hear my ideas on how Labour should tackle the challenges facing our country, it is simply this: Oppose brexit.

Kind regards,

Clariana

From: Jeremy Corbyn [mailto:leader@labour.org.uk]
Sent: 11 January 2017 13:45
To: Clariana
Subject: Re: Letter from a party member in response to your new year message

Dear Clariana, 

Thank you for contacting us about Brexit. Brexit is the most important issue that has faced the UK for a generation. Labour respects the decision of the British people to leave the European Union, and we will not block the process of invoking Article 50. But it is right that the public and Parliament are given the opportunity to scrutinise the terms of our departure. Labour have been pushing the Government to put their plan for Brexit before Parliament and the public. Without that plan, we have had unnecessary uncertainty, speculation and a running commentary on the Government’s likely approach. However, thanks to Labour forcing a vote on this in the House of Commons, the Government have now agreed to publish that plan, and to do so before Article 50 is invoked. Labour is now pushing for the plan to be published as soon as possible so that the House of Commons, the devolved administrations, the Brexit Select Committee and the British people have a chance to scrutinise it. We will also hold Government to account on their commitment – the plan needs to be one of substance, and Keir Starmer has set out a series of tests for the plan which we will be holding the Government to account on.Labour are clear that we need a smart, cooperative  Brexit that protects jobs, economy and brings the county  back together – not a divisive hard Brexit favoured by the Government. Whether you’re a Labour Party Member or not, we want to hear your ideas on how the next Labour government should tackle the challenges our country faces, and build a more equal and prosperous Britain. If you would like to take part in this policy making process, please visit [policyforum.labour.org.uk]policyforum.labour.org.uk. Best wishes,TimMembership and Communications UnitThe Labour Party