Blocking UK’s exit will cost Labour the election
LABOUR will lose a swathe of MPs at the next general election if the party tries to block Brexit, an opinion poll revealed last night.
Research shows that any attempt by Jeremy Corbyn’s MPs to frustrate Brexit would lead to Labour facing defeat in 19 of the 25 most marginal seats held by the party.
The survey, carried out by the polling firm IQR for the Brexit supporting pressure group Global Britain, comes on the eve of the start of the Labour conference in Liverpool, where delegates are expected to vote on calls for the party to back a second EU referendum.
Last night, Leave-backing Labour figures urged delegates not to put the party’s election hopes at risk by backing the call.
Kate Hoey, MP for Vauxhall and a prominent Leave campaigner, said: “Whenever I go outside London I am constantly told by Labour supporters that they wish my party would stop playing politics on the issue of our leaving the EU and get on with ensuring the delivery of a proper Brexit.” Brendan Chilton, of Labour Leave, said: “It is only a small group of people in London that wants a second referendum.” The survey quizzed around 10,000 voters in marginal Labour-held constituencies including Peterborough, Crewe and Glasgow North East. Almost half of all voters (44 per cent) would be less likely to support their local MP at the next general election if they voted to block Brexit, the survey found. Brian Monteith, of Global Britain, said: “The message is clear to Labour: Prevent Brexit and you prevent the party becoming a government.”