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General election 2019: Where do Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems stand on Brexit?

The European Union and UK flags flying outside tje House of Parliament in London as part of a Brexit protest
Where do the three main political parties stand on Brexit? (Picture: Getty)

Brexit is arguably the reason we’re having a general election on December 12 in the first place, and undoubtedly one of the major issues that will decide who wins.

But where do the three main political parties stand on our exit from the European Union? And would it sway who you voted for?

The Conservatives’ Brexit stance

With ‘Get Brexit Done’ one of his main election pledges, it’s fairly clear where Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party stands on the issue.

Mr Johnson renewed the pledge as he launched the party’s manifesto, saying the Tories will "forge a new Britain".

The Prime Minister has promised to bring the Withdrawal Agreement Bill back to Parliament before December 25 in a bid to make sure Britain leaves the EU by the end of January.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks at the Conservative party's manifesto launch in Telford, Britain November 24, 2019. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Boris Johnson has made 'get Brexit done' one of the key parts of his manifesto (Picture: REUTERS/Phil Noble)

After that there would a transition period as a trade deal between the UK and Europe is worked out, but the Conservative manifesto also rules out extending that period beyond December 31, 2020.

Speaking on the campaign trail, Mr Johnson said: "We need to get Brexit done so we can spend... money on our priorities, end the uncertainty, and get on with our programme of uniting... the UK".

Read more: When is the UK general election and how do I vote?

Despite Mr Johnson’s certainty, Brexit has definitely caused issues within his party - 21 Tory MPs were kicked out of the party for refusing to toe the line on the issue.

Of those who were expelled from the parliamentary Conservative Party after backing efforts to pass legislation to block a no-deal Brexit, 10 have since had the whip restored.

Labour’s Brexit stance

The Labour Party’s position on Brexit is - predictably - nothing like the Conservatives’.

The party, which has previously voted to block a no-deal Brexit, has said it will renegotiate the Withdrawal Deal to maintain closer economic ties with the EU, then put that deal to a public vote in the form of a new referendum. It says it will manage this within six months.

Labour has said its referendum would be a choice between a “credible” Leave option or the chance to remain.

Read more: How does voting work in a UK general election and what is First Past the Post?

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn visits Peregrine Pottery Company on November 22, 2019 in Stoke on Trent, England. After launching Labour’s manifesto for real change, Jeremy Corbyn is visiting the key marginal seat of Stoke-on-Trent South. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)
Jeremy Corbyn has said he would adopt a 'neutral stance' in a second referendum (Picture: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

But the party’s leader Jeremy Corbyn has refused to say which way he would vote in a referendum, telling a BBC Question Time leaders’ special that he would ‘adopt a neutral stance’.

He has been criticised by his rivals, with Boris Johnson branding him “indifferent” on the issue, and Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson accusing him of an “abdication of leadership” but Corbyn defended his stance as a “sensible way forward”.

Not everyone in the Labour Party agrees with his approach. Earlier this year more than 25 Labour MPs wrote to the leader warning against another referendum.

The Liberal Democrats’ Brexit stance

Britain's Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson speaks at the launch of the party manifesto in London, Britain, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to stop Brexit if they gain a majority in the general election (Picture: REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit if they win in the December general election.

Party members endorsed a policy to revoke Article 50 if they gain power in the election at the Lib Dem party conference in September.

If they don’t win a majority and can’t carry that out, they have said they will back a second referendum.

Read more: Everything a Liberal Democrat government would ban

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