DEBATE: Should Theresa May push for a compromise with Labour to get her Brexit deal passed?

Should Theresa May push for a compromise with Labour to get her Brexit deal passed?

Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of London First, says YES.

Theresa May’s primary goal must be to avoid leaving the EU with no deal. That means that the government must stop behaving as if it has a rock-solid parliamentary majority, and start to compromise.

The consequences of a no-deal reality are stark. Retailers are warning of higher prices and empty shelves. There are reports of people stockpiling medication. The NHS is braced for staff shortages. Any major disruption at Calais will hit freight trade.

And London’s economic output could be two per cent lower by 2030 if we crash out of the EU without a deal. This would hurt the very people who can least afford it.

May must adopt a more inclusive strategy and come up with a plan that can command parliamentary support. With the UK set to leave the EU in a matter of weeks, the government must stop the clock, extend Article 50, and start to compromise.

And if May still can’t find a way forward, the decision must go back to the people.

Lucy Harris, director of Leavers of Britain, says NO.

With a deal that already has too many concessions and an inescapable backstop, Theresa May could not possibly dilute this concoction further with Labour’s suggestion of a customs union and Single Market alignment and still call it Brexit.

A compromise on these terms means no Brexit at all, as it would render Britain’s ability to trade with the entire world non-existent. Such a “Brexit in name only” outcome would deepen existing splits in the Conservative party, not to mention weaken May’s support with the 70 per cent of grassroots Tories who do the leaflet-pushing and want a clean Brexit on WTO terms.

The country voted to leave the EU and all of its institutions. By selling out to Labour, May would be failing to deliver on our democratic demands while damaging her own party.

A Labour “compromise” would be a huge disappointment for those with the optimism to see Brexit as a rare opportunity.