Labour's John McDonnell was today embroiled in a fresh row with MPs over the party’s decision not to fire the starting gun on a second referendum.
The shadow chancellor claimed the party was not immediately pushing for another vote because they were trying to find a compromise deal on Brexit and the main campaign group People’s Vote was “worried about losing”.
His remarks infuriated Labour MPs who have heavily criticised the leadership for not seizing the opportunity to call for a public vote to break the Brexit deadlock. Members of three other political parties and The Independent Group of MPs were also poised to call for a second vote and today put their name to a cross-party amendment.
Asked why Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had not called for another referendum after two nights of crushing votes for the Prime Minister, he told Sky News: “[Jeremy] said if we’re to reach a compromise we’ve got to consider all of these ideas, including a People’s Vote. That’s what he said. In addition to that the People’s Vote campaign themselves have not wanted the people’s vote decision to go up too soon. They were worried about losing it but I think they want to look to see if there’s a compromise.”
Anna Soubry MP, who quit the Tories to join The Independent Group along with eight Labour politicians, today put her name to the cross-party amendment tabled by her new political group and backed by members of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats and two Labour MPs — Neil Coyle and Owen Smith.
Bermondsey MP Mr Coyle said: “The Labour front-bench continues to talk down Labour policy on this and it’s frustrating for members and all of those who want the chance to vote again.”
Today, Labour tabled an amendment in favour of a short extension to Article 50 to delay Brexit but did not refer specifically to a second poll.
A People’s Vote spokesperson said: “Labour has been right to oppose the Prime Minister’s deal and a “no deal” Brexit, as well as to promise it will campaign for a new public vote when other Brexit options have been explored.
“Today is not the time to press for a People’s Vote or, indeed, rule it out. Instead, this is time for Parliament to declare it wants an extension of Article 50 Brexit deadline so that after two-and-a-half years of vexed negotiation, our political leaders can finally decide on what Brexit means.”
