Labour won't reveal whether it supports Brexit or not until after the next general election

Labour's annual conference has decided that the party should not make any decision about whether it supports leaving the EU until after the next general  election.

It's a victory for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and a defeat for senior Labour colleagues including Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry and Deputy Leader Tom Watson, who wanted the party to say it backs remaining in the EU.

Labour has confirmed that, if it wins a general election, it will hold a second Brexit referendum within six months of taking power. However, it currently has not decided whether it will support "remain" or "leave", when the referendum takes place.

Mr Corbyn wants the party to avoid making a decision until after a general election, and then to hold a special conference in which members will decide what to do. And activists at the party's annual conference in Brighton voted to endorse his position.

The vote was greeted by cheering and chants of "oh, Jeremy Corbyn " in the conference hall.

Jeremy Corbyn watching the marching bands at the 2019 Miners gala in Durham city (Newcastle Chronicle)

 Ms Thornberry had previously warned that Labour risks losing the next election unless it comes up with a clear Brexit policy. But her arguments were rejected.

On a show of hands, Labour conference voted narrowly against a motion urging the party to commit to backing Remain in the general election.

She told activists: "With your endorsement today, conference, with the instructions that I hope you give us today, I believe we must strive night and day, whatever it takes, to keep Britain in the European Union."

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who backs Remain, confirmed that a Labour government would legislate immediately for a referendum, which would be held within six months of taking office.

 "If you want a referendum, vote Labour. If you want a final say on Brexit, vote Labour," he told the conference.

"If you want to fight for Remain, vote Labour."

The debate will become academic if the UK leaves the EU before an election takes place, but it is unclear if Prime Minister Boris Johnson will succeed in his aim of ensuring Brexit takes place on October 31.