I was never an admirer of Tony Blair. He did prime minister impressions rather than doing the job of prime minister. But put that to one side, in an interview with the BBC (HERE) he said something profound about Brexit and what the Labour party should do to exploit Tory problems over it. He said that the Labour party should:
"Make Brexit the Tory Brexit. Make them own it 100%. Show people why Brexit isn't, and never was, the answer."
I agree with this 100%. It is sound advice.
Remainers of every political hue should make certain that no one in this country from John O'Groats to Lands End is unaware of who to blame for the unfolding disaster. Blair says that if Labour doesn't make it clear they are opposed to Brexit, the Tories will spread the blame to them and in doing so shift it from themselves.
Be under no illusions, the Brexit supporting press will defend the Tories and Brexit to the very end and beyond. Even if privately they admit it is a disaster you can be sure they will blame it all on the EU, on remainers, on half-hearted civil servants, on anybody and anything that hinders progress over the cliff edge. Labour will be in the firing line whatever happens, they might as well fight back, make the effort to create a clear division and explain why Brexit is to blame for it all. In a year or eighteen months they will find themselves pushing through a half open door into No 10 Downing Street.
Lord Adonis (HERE) is asking the Labour party to adopt a policy of calling a second referendum to approve whatever deal is brought back from Brussels. This would also be going with the grain since 8 out of 10 party members, according to a recent survey (HERE) would support such a policy.
Personally, I would go slightly further and support continued membership of the customs union. It would serve several purposes. The Irish border issue would become much easier and it would scupper Liam Fox's efforts since no country would bother going to the trouble of negotiating a trade deal with us knowing that at any moment an opposition party committed to the customs union might come to power and block it.
