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A powerful warning that Jeremy Corbyn is “kicking the can” on Brexit while Labour is losing votes is made by one of the party’s most senior figures today.
Writing in the Standard, former deputy leader Dame Margaret Beckett says there is “hesitation on the bridge of the ship” at a time when calls for a second referendum are becoming urgent.
“The wind is blowing only in one direction and yet still there is hesitation on the bridge of the ship,” she writes.
It follows Mr Corbyn’s decision to postpone a widely expected announcement of a policy shift towards giving the public a final say on any Brexit deal in the form of a new national vote.
Mrs Beckett tells of frustration that Mr Corbyn has said that, having delayed to consult trade union leaders, he now wants to seek the views of National Executive Committee members.
“Further consultation may have its merits,” she said. “But, having rightly attacked the Government for kicking the can down the road.. it would be a dangerous mistake to do so ourselves.”
Polling research shows strong support for a so-called People’s Vote among party members and trade unionists.
Mrs Beckett said the recent local and European elections showed that Mr Corbyn’s “well-intentioned” plan of not taking sides was no longer keeping supporters on board.
“Any prospect of building on the remarkable result Jeremy achieved two years ago is fast evaporating,” she warned.
A source close to the Labour leader said: “Jeremy is trying to bring the whole movement together around a settled position on this deeply polarising issue. No one should pretend there are any easy answers.”
Mrs Beckett accused Mr Corbyn’s advisers of ignoring the views of party members, saying they “don’t give a toss” what members think about Brexit.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’m beginning to think that some of them do actually want Britain to leave the EU no matter what.
“They don’t give a toss about what the British people now want or what Labour members think is in the country’s interests.
“They just are determined to make sure we don’t do anything to impede Britain leaving, if necessary with no deal.”
