Cheering and singing the Red Flag, Labour’s gloating MPs
LABOUR MPs punched the air in jubilation last night as they celebrated Theresa May’s first significant parliamentary defeat on the key EU Withdrawal Bill.
The party’s MPs were seen cheering and applauding as the result of the vote was announced – even though they had repeatedly claimed they would not to frustrate the Brexit process.
Some Labour MPs even sang the socialist anthem The Red Flag in the division lobbies during later votes as they celebrated the defeat of the Government.
In a gloating statement, Jeremy Corbyn said it had been a ‘humiliating loss’ for the Government, while members of his Shadow Cabinet claimed ‘victory’.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Brexit spokesman Sir Keir Starmer praised the ‘courageous’ Conservative MPs who had rebelled to vote in favour of the amendment.
Labour has been repeatedly attacked for its shifting stance on Brexit, with the party seemingly unable to make up its mind whether it wants to stay in the customs union and the single market. Mr Corbyn said: ‘This defeat is a humiliating loss of authority for the Government on the eve of the European Council meeting.
‘Labour has made the case since the referendum for a meaningful vote in Parliament on the terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. Theresa May has resisted democratic accountability. Her refusal to listen means she will now have to accept Parliament taking back control.’
Mr Starmer added: ‘Victory on Grieve amendment! Labour overwhelmingly backed vote & with courageous Tories voting with us, Parliament now votes on Brexit terms.’
Fellow Labour Remainer Chuka Umunna continued the gloating, tweeting: ‘This is a victory for British parliamentary democracy. Members of Parliament of all parties deserve great credit.’
He added: ‘Tonight MPs have taken back control for the British people. We will scrutinise the Brexit process on behalf of our constituents and we will not tolerate a Brexit that damages our economy or our great country.’
Former shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: ‘This is an important moment. The House of Commons has tonight voted against the government’s attempt to concentrate power and against letting a small group of ministers take crucial decisions on the details of Brexit without Parliament having a meaningful vote.’
Even pro-EU campaigner Gina Miller celebrated, saying: ‘Parliamentary sovereignty wins the day.’
On Monday Mr Corbyn was branded a ‘national disgrace’ after calling for Britain’s exit from the EU to be delayed.
The Labour leader plunged his party into fresh chaos over Brexit by suggesting he would support Britain remaining part of the EU after the Government’s stated exit date of March 29, 2019.
Mr Corbyn effectively backed the date before the election when he ordered his MPs to back Article 50, which sets a two-year timetable for departure.
But earlier this week he urged Mrs May to drop ‘unnecessary’ plans to fix the date in law, saying: ‘The country would rather get the best deal a little bit later.’
Amid further confusion about Labour’s position, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell also appeared to drop his opposition to the UK remaining in the EU’s single market after Brexit.