Brexit news latest: Theresa May says talks with Labour to break deadlock 'will mean compromise on both sides'

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The Prime Minister today said talks with Labour to break the Brexit deadlock would mean "compromise on both sides".

In a video message on Sunday, Theresa May spoke of her decision to engage in cross-party talks with Labour on leaving the European Union.

Further talks are expected this week after the prime minister earlier warned Brexit could "slip through our fingers" unless an agreement could be reached.

In the video posted on Twitter, Mrs May reiterated her warning that Britain may not leave the EU at all if she cannot get a deal through Parliament.

Mrs May was spotted heading to a church service in her constituency on Sunday
Getty Images

Mrs May said: "Where we’re at is that the government negotiated a deal with the EU, and my preference was for that deal to be passed by Parliament, and we could leave the EU on that basis.

“But Parliament’s now rejected that deal three times, and right now as things stand, I can’t see them accepting it.

“But at the same time Parliament has also said that they don’t want us to leave without a deal, with no deal.

“Indeed, this very week Parliament’s been legislating to block no deal.

“So the choice that lies ahead of us is either leaving the European Union with a deal or not leaving at all.”

Jeremy Corbyn's party said the government 'has not offered real change or compromise'
Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

After a week of talks, which shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer described as “disappointing” last Friday, Theresa May is set to take up negotiations with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn again this week.

But speaking to reporters while campaigning in Plymouth on Saturday, Mr Corbyn said he was still "waiting to see the red lines move" and had not noticed "any great change" in Theresa May's position.

In her video, Mrs May insisted she was keen to continue cross-party talks and said she thinks the public would like to see politicians working together more.

She added: "There are lots of things on which I disagree with the Labour Party on policy issues.

"But on Brexit I think there are some things we agree on: ending free movement, ensuring we leave with a good deal, protecting jobs, protecting security.

Shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer called the talks "disappointing"
EPA

"And so we are talking. Can we find a way through this that ensures that we can get a good deal and a deal agreed through Parliament?

"It'll mean compromise on both sides but I believe that delivering Brexit is the most important thing for us."

But Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said on Sunday that the Conservatives were working with Mr Corbyn "through gritted teeth."

She told the Andrew Marr Show that the Tories had little choice but to compromise with the opposition if they wanted a Brexit deal.

"Working with Jeremy Corbyn is not something I want to do at all, it's not something the Prime Minister wants to do.

"But far worse than that would be to fail to deliver on Brexit, that would be the appalling thing.

"Specifically provided we are leaving the European Union then it is important that we compromise, that's what this is about and it is through gritted teeth. But nevertheless the most important thing is to actually leave the EU."

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, one of the Labour team in the cross-party talks, said further negotiations were planned.

She added: "The overall mood is quite a positive and hopeful one.

"The sad thing is at the moment we haven't seen overall any real changes to the deal, but we are hopeful that will change in coming days and we are willing to continue the talks as we know the Government are."

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