Justin Welby calls for cross-party talks on Brexit

The Archbishop of Canterbury has further accelerated pressure on Theresa May by saying cross-party talks are needed to take the "poison" out of the EU debate.

In an intervention likely to infuriate many Tories, he has contrasted communities pulling together to help the Grenfell Tower victims with the country’s "fierce" differences on Brexit.

He writes in a newspaper article: "The future of this country is not a zero-sum, winner takes all, calculation but must rest on the reconciled common good arrived at through good debate and disagreement."

He adds: "We must develop a forum or commission or some political tool which can hold the ring for the differences to be fought out, so that a commonly agreed negotiating aim is achieved.

"Obviously it would be under the authority of Parliament, especially the Commons. It would need to be cross-party and chaired by a senior politician, on Privy Council terms.

"It could not bind Parliament, but well-structured it could draw much of the poison from the debate."

Archbishop Welby voted to Remain in last year’s referendum and warned last June against "succumbing to our worst instincts" over immigration and of economic damage, which he feared would hit the poorest.

In The Mail on Sunday, he writes that "recent events have highlighted the urgent need for a process of internal reconciliation, between regions, social groups, faiths and generations."

In the light of the hung parliament widely thought to have weakened Mrs May’s negotiating hand, he writes: "Brexit continues to divide us.

"Exit negotiations will be fierce and the differences on what we should aim for, and how, are very deep.

"With a hung parliament, there is an understandable temptation for every difference to become a vote of confidence, a seeking of momentary advantage ahead of the next election.

"For that to happen would be a disaster if our negotiators, faced with the united determination of the EU, go into the room without confidence in their backing in the UK.

"It might turn us inwards and forfeit the opportunity to be a country the world admires and blesses for our generosity and vision. Politics is rightly hard and tough.

"We must not pretend otherwise. But for Brexit, we need the politicians to find a way of neutralising the temptation to take minor advantage domestically from these great events."

Labour politicians including Yvette Cooper and Harriet Harman, as well as Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, have already called for cross-party cooperation over Brexit.

A YouGov poll earlier this month suggested 51% of voters would also be in favour.

The calls have been backed by business leaders and even by former Tory leader William Hague, who said other parties should be allowed a say.

Although many in his party would be reluctant, Lord Hague also called for the Government to modify its negotiating objectives so that securing economic growth takes priority over controlling immigration.

(c) Sky News 2017: Justin Welby calls for cross-party talks on Brexit