Jess Phillips says she could campaign to reverse Brexit if she becomes Labour leader

Stephanie Cockroft5 January 2020
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Jess Phillips has said she could campaign to reverse Brexit if she becomes Labour leader.

The prominent backbencher, who is one of five candidates to have declared their intention to run, said she would "wait and see" how Brexit turns out but hinted a return to the EU would be possible under her leadership.

Appearing on The Andrew Marr show, she said: “If our country is safer, if it is more economically viable to be in the EU, then I will fight for that regardless of how difficult that argument is to make."

She added that she accepts the Brexit argument is "over" but that she believes the country will "always be better off and safer" within the EU, adding: "I'm not just going to change my mind on that."

During the interview, the Birmingham Yardley MP was also quizzed on other policies and said she would not commit to re-nationalising all key utilities, a core Labour pledge of the Corbyn years.

Jess Phillips said she would "wait and see" what happened over Brexit but hinted a return to the EU would be possible
Jeff Overs/BBC via Getty Images

She said the "test has been met" that the current system "serves literally no one" and said profit-making in the prisons and probation service had to be stopped.

But when pressed on mail, water and energy, she told the BBC show that "we have to make choices".

"Of course have to in the future look to how those services can better serve the public and nationalisation is one of those ways," she said.

The prominent backbencher said she believes Britain will always be better off with the EU
Jeff Overs/BBC via Getty Images

"While there are still homeless people literally sleeping outside my office both in London and in Birmingham we have to make the choices that people can trust that we will deliver."

Ms Philips questioned how the free broadband pledge would have been delivered when other public services were crumbling and people cannot get vital social care for their parents.

"While that is the case offering people free broadband was just not believable," she said.

She appeared on the show alongside leadership rival Sir Keir Starmer
Jeff Overs/BBC via Getty Images

The other three standing are Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry.

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, who is the current leadership's favoured candidate, is widely expected to enter the race but is yet to declare.

Labour's ruling National Executive Committee will meet on Monday to set the timetable for the contest, which is then expected to formally start on Tuesday.

The new leader is expected to be in place by the end of March.

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