国际英语资讯:Brexit issues dominate 2nd day of Labour Partys annual conference_时事

国际英语资讯:Brexit issues dominate 2nd day of Labour Partys annual conference

LONDON, Sept. 25 -- Britain's future in the European Union (EU) dominated the second day of the Labour Party's annual conference in Brighton Monday.

Some delegates had demanded a full debate and a vote on Brexit, aimed at keeping Britain in the European single market and the customs union.

The conference instead voted overwhelmingly to keep the party's existing Brexit policy outlined in its recent election manifesto. This accepted the EU referendum result and sets negotiating priorities on retaining the benefits of the single market and the customs union.

With accusations that Prime Minister Theresa May's governing Conservatives are bitterly divided on the Brexit issue, government Brexit minister Steve Baker seized on the outcome of Labour's own Brexit squabbles.

"Their 'Brexit ban' on a vote at conference shows just how divided they are. The Conservatives are the only party working to make a success of Brexit," said Baker.

Labour's shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer blamed Prime Minister May and her Conservative government for putting Britain's place in the world, as well as jobs, at stake.

Starmer accused May of robotically marching towards an extreme Brexit, focussed, he claimed, on her own survival not the national interest.

"Maybe the Conservatives can afford this disastrous approach to Brexit, but I know, that millions of working people cannot. Whether you're in the front seat with Theresa May, or in the backseat with Boris Johnson, there's nothing patriotic about joy-riding our country's economy off a cliff."