The Labour leader’s right-hand man John McDonnell reportedly hinted at the policy change following a shadow cabinet meeting on Brexit today. Mr Corbyn is also set to meet trade union leaders this week in a bid to clarify his party’s position. It comes after a YouGov survey of 1,813 trade unionists found that almost two-thirds support a second referendum.
The poll found that 71 percent of union members would back Remain if there was another public vote.
And they are more likely to vote for Labour if the party throws its weight behind a second referendum.
Jo Stevens, secretary of the Trade Union Group of Labour MPs, said: “Labour’s official position is still too far behind that of our party members and voters, not to mention grassroots trade unionists who are the bedrock of our movement.
“When Jeremy Corbyn meets with trade union general secretaries, I hope he hears the strong message from working people, trade union members up and down the country, that we want a People’s Vote just like his constituents do in Islington – because now, more than ever, we need those voices to be heard.”
Mr Corbyn has faced intense criticism for sitting on the fence over the UK’s departure from the EU.
Until now, the left-winger’s main aim has been to force a general election.
But Mr Corbyn is facing mounting pressure to commit to reversing Brexit, with pro-Remain Labour voters flocking to the Lib Dems.
It comes as Tory leadership hopefuls Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson are battling it out to become the next prime minister.
Mr Johnson today repeated his promise to take the UK out of the EU on October 31, insisting there will be no more Brexit delays.
