Corbyn defies pro-EU supporters as he reveals Labour WON’T back second Brexit referendum in election manifesto
JEREMY Corbyn today defied his pro-EU fans – saying Labour WON’T back a second Brexit referendum in its manifesto.
After a marathon showdown, party bosses announced they will only support a so-called “people’s vote” if Theresa May refuses to change her Brexit deal.
The decision is a victory for Mr Corbyn against efforts to get a referendum into the manifesto under all circumstances.
Europhiles like deputy leader Tom Watson were pushing a more anti-Brexit line during today’s five-hour meeting of the national executive committee.
But instead, the Labour manifesto in the EU elections will say that a referendum is the party’s third choice.
They would rather secure a General Election or a new compromise deal, and will only support a public vote if those are impossible.
A Labour spokesman said: “Labour is the only party which represents both people who supported Leave and Remain.
“We are working to bring the country together after the chaos and crisis created by the Tories.”
A source added: “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.”
Remainers hit out at Labour’s decision – Nicola Sturgeon blasted: “Confirmation, if it was needed, that Labour is a Brexit supporting party.”
Chuka Umunna, who quit the party to set up Change UK, added: “So after all that, nothing has changed. Labour stands by its position to facilitate Brexit.”
There were heated scenes this morning as Mr Watson walked out of a Shadow Cabinet meeting because Mr Corbyn wouldn’t share the draft manifesto.
But a source insisted the NEC gathering was “comradely” as all sides debated Brexit.
PARTY SPLITS
Earlier today, Mr Corbyn was warned that backing a second Brexit vote would destroy Labour and risk losing 5million Leave voters.
Gareth Snell said voters in his area felt they were being ignored, writing in the Mirror: “We have always balanced the interests of our voters but we risk turning our back on one half of the people we seek to serve and we need to win.
“A second referendum or confirmatory vote would not be the healing and soothing event that those who are fighting for it suggest.
“It won’t solve the issue of our future relationship with Europe and the wrangling over the question, options on the ballot and the legitimacy of the poll will create even more uncertainty.”
He urged the party to “think of the bigger picture” and respect those voters the party desperately needs to hold on to.
And said it should be listening to all of its voters – not just the liberal metropolitan ones in big cities.
He added: “Time and again, those conversations have ended with life-long Labour voters telling me they won’t bother voting at all because they have no faith that their voice matters.
“These are our people who feel let down, left out and as though a ruling political class is trying to stitch up the system for their own benefit.
“These are our people who through thick and thin have voted Labour and who we need if we ever hope to form the radical Labour Government we all need.”
MOST READ IN BREXIT
And Lisa Nandy said Remainers should just be honest and tell voters they wanted to stop Brexit.
Politicians should not say to Labour voters in her town that they w0uld give them “another go” to vote on “different version of Remain, which you have already rejected,” she told the BBC earlier.
Talks between Labour and the Government over Brexit are ongoing to try and find a way out of the deadlock.
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