Corbyn: Labour would back a second vote on Brexit
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party, says his bloc in Parliament would support a second referendum to stop what he called “a damaging Tory Brexit”.
While Labour Party activists have been pushing their leader for months to back another public vote on Brexit, Corbyn had been cold to the idea.
Corbyn’s shift comes after he was battered by the abrupt resignations of nine Labour lawmakers last week. The defectors, who support remaining in the European Union, complained Corbyn lacked leadership on the greatest issue facing Britain in a generation, and they urged more Labour members to quit.
Corbyn’s late support for a second referendum does not mean another public vote will happen. Prime Minister Theresa May, her Government and most of her Conservative Party remain opposed to a do-over.
Nor was it clear on yesterday what kind of second referendum Corbyn supports. Brexit opponents want voters to be given a clear choice of leaving or staying in the EU. Others say a second referendum, if it ever took place, should be more limited — asking voters, for example, if they support the deal May has negotiated with the European Union.
This week will see lawmakers putting forward motions seeking to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled departure date of March 29. Other amendments will try to stop Britain from leaving the EU with no deal.
Corbyn said yesterday that Labour would also introduce its own amendment, laying out Labour’s alternative deal for a much softer Brexit than May has negotiated with the Europeans. The Labour plan would keep Britain in an EU customs regime and single market. Such an arrangement probably would mean that Britain would have to continue to accept the free flow of immigrants from Europe.