Politics

Labour party will back the option of a public vote if it cannot get the ‘necessary changes to the Government’s deal or a General Election’



Labour‘s ruling body has decided that the party’s Brexit position in its European election will be “fully in line with Labour’s existing policy”, a party source has said. 

A Labour source said: “The NEC agreed the manifesto which will be fully in line with Labour’s existing policy – to support Labour’s alternative plan, and if we can’t get the necessary changes to the Government’s deal, or a general election, to back the option of a public vote.”

The move means senior shadow cabinet members, including deputy leader Tom Watson, have failed in their bid to get the party to commit to a second referendum.

The party has kept a public vote as its “last resort” and says Labour is “for people who both supported leave and remain.”

Party clash: Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson arriving at the meeting in London today (AFP/Getty Images)

Mr Watson left the NEC meeting in Westminster without saying what had been agreed, but denied claims he had “stormed out.”

He later accused the leadership of refusing his request to show shadow cabinet members the wording of the party’s proposed stance for the European Parliament elections.

He said: “We’re publishing our European manifesto early next week.

“You can ask me as many questions as you want but you’ll have to wait till next week.”

 

File photo: (L-R) Keir Starmer, Jeremy Corbyn and Rebecca Long-Bailey (PA)

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey and Dame Margaret Beckett left the meeting without commenting, while Momentum founder Jon Lansman said it was a “good meeting.”

Mr Watson has been defying Mr Corbyn by rallying support for another another referendum, piling pressure on him to come off the fence and firmly back going back to the public over Brexit amid gridlock in Parliament.

Ahead of the NEC meeting, Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson wrote to Mr Corbyn and all NEC members urging them to ensure that a confirmatory ballot is in the manifesto.

Mr Wilson stressed that a referendum was backed by the majority of Labour MPs, MEPs, members and supporters, as well as several unions, and had featured in the policy approved by conference last autumn.



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