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A8 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 10 July 2019

UK Tory contenders trade blows; Labour backs new Brexit vote

membership, in which La-
bour would campaign to
stay in the EU.
In a letter to party mem-
bers, Corbyn said that the
new prime minister “should
have the confidence to
put their deal, or no-deal,
back to the people in a
public vote.”
“In those circumstances, I
want to make it clear that
Labour would campaign
for Remain against either
no-deal or a Tory deal that
does not protect the econ-
omy and jobs,” he said.
Labour’s opponents — and
many supporters — have
accused the party of dith-
ering over Brexit for fear of
alienating voters on either
side of the national divide
over Europe.
Until now, Corbyn, a long-
time critic of the EU, had
resisted calls for a second
referendum, saying Labour
must respect voters’ 2016
decision to leave.
Journalists view the live TV debate between Conservative Party leadership candidates Boris Johnson, seen at left, and Jeremy Hunt, The left-of-center party has
right, on a large screen at the ITV, TV studio in Salford, England, Tuesday July 9, 2019. previously rejected May’s
Associated Press deal but also ruled out
By JILL LAWLESS optimism” would help Brit- omists think a no-deal Brexit White House dysfunction- leaving the EU without an
Associated Press ain “get back our mojo.” would plunge Britain into re- al, inept and chaotic. The agreement and called for
LONDON (AP) — The two Hunt, a long-serving but lus- cession as customs checks president let rip with tweets an election that the party
men vying to be Britain’s terless senior minister who take effect at U.K. ports and branding Darroch “very hopes will bring a Labour
next leader traded verbal is currently foreign secre- tariffs are imposed on trade stupid” and “a pompous government to power.
blows in a televised debate tary, said he offered experi- between the U.K. and the fool,” and saying the ad- But the party’s poor show-
Tuesday about who is more ence, realism and a broad- EU. But many Conservatives ministration would no lon- ing in recent local and Eu-
likely to break the country’s er appeal than the divisive think embracing a no-deal ger deal with him. ropean elections suggests
Brexit deadlock and lead Johnson. Brexit may be the only way Trump also renewed criti- Labour is losing support to
the U.K. out of the Europe- “I’ll be your prime minister to win back voters from the cism of May’s handling of parties including the Liberal
an Union. whoever you vote for,” he upstart Brexit Party led by Brexit. In contrast, he has Democrats and the Greens
About 160,000 Conserva- said. Nigel Farage. spoken warmly of both that advocate remaining in
tive Party members are vot- Unlike Johnson, Hunt said Growing concern about Johnson and Hunt. the EU.
ing for a successor to Prime he would be prepared to the chance of a no-deal Hunt reprimanded Trump, Corbyn’s letter clarified the
Minister Theresa May, who delay Brexit for a short time Brexit and signs that the saying he should not med- party’s position — up to a
announced her resignation in order to strike a deal with British economy could be dle in Britain’s choice of point. It’s still unclear what
last month after failing re- the EU. heading toward reces- ambassador. Labour would do about
peatedly to get Parliament That led Johnson to call sion have weakened the “I have made it clear that if Brexit if it formed a govern-
to back her divorce deal Hunt “defeatist.” pound, which fell Tuesday I am he next prime minister ment.
with the EU. Hunt accused Johnson of to $1.2440, near a two-year our ambassador in Wash- Labour lawmaker Hilary
The two finalists, Boris John- setting a “fake deadline” low. ington stays,” Hunt said. Benn, who heads Parlia-
son and Jeremy Hunt, both and asked whether he For underdog Hunt, Tues- Johnson would not commit ment’s Brexit Committee,
used their only televised would resign if he failed to day’s showdown offered to keeping Darroch in his said “this is a very signifi-
debate to argue that they deliver on his promise to a chance to turn the con- post. cant moment.”
were best placed to ne- leave by Oct 31. test around, though it may “I have a very good re- “We saw what a lack of
gotiate Britain’s twice- Johnson did not answer. be too late. Ballot papers lationship with the White clarity did to Labour in the
postponed exit, currently “It’s not do or die is it?” Hunt have already gone out, House,” he said. “I think it’s European elections. We
scheduled for Oct. 31. snapped back. “It’s Boris in and many Conservatives very important we should got 14% of the vote,” he
Johnson, a populist former No. 10 (Downing St.) that have made their choice. have a close partnership, said.
mayor of London whom matters.” The two candidates also a close friendship with the But John Mann, a Labour
polls suggest is the strong Hunt and Johnson have faced questions about a United States.” legislator who backs Brexit,
front-runner, argued that both vowed to succeed fierce row over leaked ca- As the two Conservatives said the shift would cost
Britain leaving on schedule, where May failed and take bles from Britain’s ambassa- battled over who was the the party support in areas
with or without a divorce Britain out of the EU — even dor in Washington offering bigger champion of Brex- of the country that voted
deal, is a “do or die” issue. if that means leaving with- unflattering assessments of it, Labour leader Jeremy strongly to leave the EU.
“Delay does not deliver a out an agreement on di- President Donald Trump’s Corbyn shifted his party’s “There’s no indication
deal. A deadline will deliver vorce terms and future re- administration. position, calling on May’s whatsoever that voters in
a deal,” Johnson said, add- lations. In the memos, Ambassador successor to call a new my area ... have changed
ing that his “energy and Most businesses and econ- Kim Darroch called Trump’s referendum on Britain’s EU their mind,” he said.q