In Brexit showdown, British PM May faces issue of 'meaningful vote'

[Denzil_DC]

19. There is no conceivable "bespoke" deal on EU trade that doesn't involve freedom of movement.

Indeed, the trading deal feelers that have gone out to non-EU countries like India etc. have indicated that the prospective trading partners would insist on freedom of movement as part of any deal.

Since Labour (along with the Tories) has bought in to the UKIP line on immigration, it's hard to see how it can back down on that.

If it had called out the Tories for failing to enact the measures to restrict immigration that have been available to the UK just like every other EU state over the years, then it might have some wiggle room.

As it is, it's a party of weathervanes, rather than signposts (see Tony Benn for that reference). I can't see any way out of the corner it's backed itself into.