• AMID the ghastly she­nanigans played out in the House of Commons during the pre-Christmas Brexit debate, a voice of reason struggled to be heard. That voice belong­ed to Jeremy Corbyn.

His promotion of a unique customs union, which is Labour policy, was greeted positively by analysts in the business media but ignored by most of his backbenchers.

His sensible suggestion that Labour should seek to unite remainers and leavers around a coherent set of proposals was howled down by those obsessed with creating division.

Lest we forget, after the vote next week there could be at least two more years of fraught negotiat­ions before we reach a final agreement with the EU. Perhaps Mr Corbyn should try to take some of the heat out of Brexit by proposing the creation of a broad-based negot­iating team that tran­scends party politics, but is answerable to Parliament.

Labour could then get on with promoting policies to repair the terrible damage done to public services and the social wage, as well as restoring the wealth expectations of young workers.

If Labour is to achieve anything of significance the shadow cabinet and the party leadership must sort out rebellious, undisciplined, backbenchers.

Jeremy Corbyn has one great asset, a large party membership which has twice shown it will overwhelmingly support him.

If necessary, he should look to them to authenticate Labour policy on Brexit and to bring his backbenchers to heel.

DON RYAN
Address supplied