Advertisement

Corbyn calls for second Brexit referendum and says Labour would back remain

The British Labour party has called for the next prime minister to hold a second referendum on an...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

13.03 9 Jul 2019


Share this article


Corbyn calls for second Brexit...

Corbyn calls for second Brexit referendum and says Labour would back remain

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

13.03 9 Jul 2019


Share this article


The British Labour party has called for the next prime minister to hold a second referendum on any Brexit deal - with Jeremy Corbyn saying his party would back remain in the vote.

It comes after weeks of talks between Labour leadership, party members and trade union.

Mr Corbyn - who has typically aimed for a compromise position on Brexit - has faced increasing pressure to shift his party's policy towards a more definitive 'remain' stance.

Advertisement

However, he's also faced opposition from those who feel that will damage the party's standing in 'leave' supporting areas.

Following the recent consultations, Mr Corbyn laid out his party's new stance in an email to party members.

He said: "Whoever becomes the new Prime Minister should have the confidence to put their deal, or No Deal, back to the people in a public vote.

"In those circumstances, I want to make it clear that Labour would campaign for Remain against either No Deal or a Tory deal that does not protect the economy and jobs."

Mr Corbyn also reiterated his view that the UK needs a general election.

He argued: "Our country is ravaged by inequality and rising poverty, huge regional imbalances of investment, and the government is failing to tackle the climate emergency facing us all."

The party's new policy comes in the context of the ongoing Conservative leadership contest.

Both Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have expressed their optimism of securing a deal with the EU - but also insisted they'll pull the UK out of the bloc without a deal if they have to.

Here, the Cabinet is today considering plans to limit the damage from a no-deal Brexit, with Tánaiste Simon Coveney yesterday saying that outcome is more likely than it has ever been.

Main image: File photo of UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Picture by: Victoria Jones/PA Wire/PA Images

Share this article


Read more about

Brexit Jeremy Corbyn Labour

Most Popular