«Breaking News» Labour Brexiteers warn of 'catastrophe' after Corbyn backs fresh referendum

Jeremy Corbyn was warned the 'voters won't have it today' after he shifted to support a second referendum and Labour said no deal would not be on the ballot paper.

MP John Mann warned Labour would face a furious backlash in the Midland and the North where the party's supporters backed Brexit in their millions.

He blasted Labour would meet the same fate as Nick Clegg's Lib Dems after their u-turn on tuition fees - an electoral wipe out in 2015. 

Mr Corbyn's dramatic leap toward a new public vote last night has escalated the civil war inside his party.

Labour says the question should be a 'credible' Leave and Remain option - but Labour is deeply opposed to Mrs May's deal and has ruled out ever supporting no deal. 

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in the Commons today) was warned the 'voters won't have it today' after he shifted to support a second referendum and Labour said no deal would not be on the ballot paper

Labour MP John Mann (file image), who represents Bassetlaw, warned that backing a referendum would be a 'catastrophe' 

Labour is thought likely to table a Commons amendment which would mean a referendum on whatever deal finally gets through Parliament.   

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry insisted the other choice on the ballot paper would be Remain – meaning the vote could overturn the result of the 2016 referendum. 

Outlining the plan today, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Kei Starmer told Sky News:  'The basic choice needs to be between a credible Leave option and Remain.

'So that means if the prime minister gets a deal through, that should be subject to the lock of a public vote.'

But that position is seemingly not shared by aides close to Mr Corbyn, who suggested there could be three options and Mrs May's deal would not be one of them.  

Remainer Labour MPs were delighted at the developments, with one boasting: 'There's no turning back for Jeremy now.' 

But the move was described as a 'betrayal' of Labour's 2017 election manifesto promise to respect the referendum result, with Leave campaigners calling it 'cowardly'.

Mr Corbyn was also accused of cynically announcing the move in a desperate effort to stem the tide of defections to the newly-formed Independent Group, which supports a second referendum.

And some in Labour fear that the decision could be disastrous in Leave-dominated constituencies in the North. 

Labour defections to the Independent Group, pictured having dinner together at Nando's last night, have increased pressure on Mr Corbyn

Mr Mann, who represents Bassetlaw, told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'Voters won't have it. 

'The last person to renege on their manifesto was Nick Clegg, it didn't end very well for him on tuition fees. 

'Our manifesto was unambiguous, we would accept the result of the referendum. 

'A second referendum doesn't do that and the voters - in very, very large numbers - will not accept that.' 

Labour uncertainty and u-turns over Brexit

Labour's Brexit stance has undergone so many changes it can be difficult to keep track. 

Even during the referendum in 2016 Jeremy Corbyn was accused of half-hearted campaigning and hedging his bets - admitting he was only '7 out of 10' in favour of Remain. 

Since then the leadership has been trying to maintain 'constructive ambiguity' so it can keep hold of heartland voters who often back Brexit - without alienating the party's largely Remainer members and MPs.

The 2017 Labour manifesto promised that Labour accepted the result of the referendum and obtain a deal that 'works for every community in Britain'

It also said it would have 'fresh negotiating priorities that have a strong emphasis on retaining the benefits of the Single Market and the Customs Union.'

But shortly after the election on June 11, 2017, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told ITV: 'Let's be clear: we are respecting the decision of the referendum. We are democrats. I think people will interpret membership of the single market as not respecting that referendum.'

This was swiftly followed by Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer a week later in June of that year who said Labour wanted to 'retain the benefits of the single market and the customs union. Formal membership, full membership is only available to EU member states.'

In late June three shadow ministers were sacked by Mr Corbyn and a fourth resigned after they and 45 other Labour MPs defied the party and backed a Queen's Speech amendment calling for Britain to remain in the single market and customs union. 

However, the following September Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said single market membership was possible 'if the European Union wanted to talk about reform of freedom of movement rules'. 

Jeremy Corbyn has also faced similar divisions in his own party as Theresa May has in hers

Numerous backbenchers have said they want to see a second referendum on a Brexit deal.

By conference 2018 internal debate over a second referendum prompted more than 150 different motions on the issue.

Labour delegates approved a motion that would keep all options - including a new referendum - if a Brexit deadlock occurred.

Senior Labour figures have even been split on what any second referendum should mean - with some, such as Len McCluskey and John McDonnell insisting remaining in the EU cannot be on the ballot - but Sir Keir Starmer has said the motion means it could be.

Mr Corbyn will hope the dramatic shift will stop any more MPs quitting to join the new pro-Remain Independent Group of MPs.

The move would be 'catastrophic to Labour in the Midlands and the north', Mr Mann said. 

At the Parliamentary Party meeting last night, Mr Mann told Mr Corbyn: 'In the Midlands and North of England this decision today will stop you from being prime minister.'

Colleague Caroline Flint said there will 'never be' unity in the party if a second referendum goes ahead, and Lucy Powell warned that 25 Labour MPs will vote against another referendum. 

John Longworth, chairman of Leave Means Leave, lambasted 'a cowardly decision from a man who should never be trusted with the premiership of this country.' Labour MP Stephen Kinnock said: 'I have deep reservations about having a referendum.

'I think it is going to be deeply divisive. I think it would have a corrosive impact on the role and sovereignty of Parliament.' 

Mr Corbyn is known to be lukewarm to the idea of a second vote, but has been under immense pressure from Remainers MPs and activists. 

One MP said that when the leader read out the statement: 'It was a bit like watching a hostage read out a ransom note.' 

It is believed Labour will call for a Commons vote on a second referendum on March 12, two weeks before the planned date of Brexit.

Ms Thornberry said last night: 'We will have a referendum on whatever deal there is and Remain. There will be no Tory Brexit without there being a public vote.

'I think it's in Britain's interest for us to remain in the EU – if there is a vote then I will be backing remain. So will Jeremy Corbyn.'

However, a senior Labour source then said that although Remain would be on the ballot paper, Mrs May's deal would not.

He would not say what the other option would be – and even suggested there could be three options. No Deal would not be an option, however.

At the PLP meeting, Mr Corbyn told MPs that Labour will also back an attempt to block no-deal Brexit, saying he will do everything in his power to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal, and will back the Cooper-Letwin amendment to take the option off the table.

And he said Labour is 'committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit'.

He said Labour will seek to enshrine the party's five Brexit demands in law by tabling an amendment to the Government's Brexit motion which is due to be debated on Wednesday.

The demands include a permanent and comprehensive customs union with the EU and close alignment with the single market, as well as a dynamic alignment on rights and protections and commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes. If the plan is rejected, Labour will then support a second referendum.

Mr Corbyn said: 'One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent No Deal and oppose a damaging Tory Brexit based on Theresa May's overwhelmingly rejected deal. 

'That's why, in line with our conference policy, we are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country.'

Remainers were delighted. Labour MP Peter Kyle, who supports a second vote, said: 'There's no turning back for Jeremy now.' 

Colleague David Lammy said: 'Jeremy Corbyn is today taking the first step to reunite our party by showing he is listening to our voters and members.' Around 60 per cent of Labour voters supported Remain in 2016 and members are strongly in favour of staying in the EU. 

Tory party chairman Brandon Lewis said: 'Corbyn's Labour have ripped up their promise to respect the referendum result and are now pursuing a divisive second referendum that would take us back to square one. Jeremy Corbyn is using Brexit to play his own political games.'

How could a second referendum happen? As Labour makes a huge step to backing a vote this is how a referendum is called 

Despite a growing clamour holding a new vote is a complicated and lengthy process, requiring new laws, agreement on a question - and a delay to Brexit day on March 29.

Theresa May has insisted repeatedly that a new referendum would betray Leave voters in 2016 and will not happen on her watch.

But Parliament could force the PM into the decision - prompting Nigel Farage to tell Leave campaigners to prepare for another vote.

Why do people say there needs to be a second referendum?

Theresa May's Brexit deal has no majority in Parliament - and it is not clear any other deal has a majority either, even if one could be negotiated.

Passing the question back to voters is seen by some as a way to end the impasse and give a clear instruction to politicians on what to do.

Some campaigners also say the 2016 referendum was not an informed choice because too many of the implications of Leave were unknown. 

What do critics think?

Many people - led by the Prime Minister herself - say a new vote on Brexit would betray the people who voted Leave in 2016. They insist there was a clear order from the public to Leave the EU and politicians must follow it, working out the details for themselves.

Unionists also complain that accepting a new referendum on Brexit would pave the way for another referendum on Scottish independence, threatening the future of the UK. 

Some politicians also feel it would simply reopen the wounds from the 2016 battle without really deciding anything more clearly.  

What needs to happen for a referendum to happen?

Parliament would need to pass a new law for a referendum to be held. This process alone would take weeks and would likely be very controversial.

Before that can even happen, for political reasons there would probably have to be some kind of moment creating a 'mandate' for a new referendum as it is something neither of the main parties promised at the last election.

This might be a simple vote of MPs after Mrs May's deal has been rejected. The Government could call such a vote at any time. Labour also has some opportunities to call a vote - though winning such a vote would have less power.

It could even be a whole general election where one or more sides puts a new referendum in their manifesto. 

What would the question and be who decides? 

Nobody knows for sure - and this is probably the hardest question of all.

Some say it should be a simple repeat of last time, with Leave or Remain on the ballot paper. Others say it should be Remain versus Mrs May's Brexit deal.

Others advocate a two stage referendum - between Remain and Leave, followed by Mrs May's deal versus No Deal if Leave wins. 

Still others say there could be multiple questions on the ballot paper, possible using a ranking system known as alternative vote.

The Electoral Commission would make a recommendation and MPs would make the final decision on what the question would be. 

Would exit have to be delayed from March 29? 

Yes. On the shortest timescale imaginable, a referendum would take almost six months from the point the decision was taken - something which has not happened yet. Exit day is less than four months away.

How long does it take to call and fight a referendum? 

There is no fixed schedule but former Cabinet minister Justine Greening last month set out a 22 week timetable - just under six months start to finish

This assumes about 11 weeks to pass the necessary laws and another 11 weeks for the campaign - both a preliminary period to set up formal campaigns on each side and then a main short campaign.

This would in theory allow a referendum by mid June 2019 - a full three years after the last one. 

Lots of factors could cause delays and short of sweeping political agreement on the rules of a campaign almost no way to speed up the process. 

Would the result be any more decisive?

Probably not. Unlike last time, the referendum law could make the result legally binding and the question could be more specific than last time.

But polls suggest the country remains just as divided as in 2016 - suggesting the result could be just as close as the 52% to 48% Leave win next time.   

 

 

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/02/27/labour-brexiteers-warn-of-catastrophe-after-corbyn-backs-fresh-referendum/
Main photo article Jeremy Corbyn was warned the ‘voters won’t have it today’ after he shifted to support a second referendum and Labour said no deal would not be on the ballot paper.
MP John Mann warned Labour would face a furious backlash in the Midland and the North where the party’s...

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