Corbyn caught in backlash over refusal to press for ‘people’s vote’

JEREMY CORBYN is facing a backlash from his shadow cabinet after resisting calls to demand a second referendum during his talks with Theresa May.

The Labour leader was told by Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, and Tom Watson, the party’s deputy leader, that any deal agreed must be subject to a “confirmatory” public vote.

But Mr Corbyn said he would only pursue a second referendum to “prevent crashing out” or to “prevent leaving without a deal”.

Both Labour and Downing Street described yesterday’s talks as “constructive” as they continue today.

The two sides are expected to attempt to reach a deal on plans for a customs union with the EU after Brexit, previously a central plank of Labour policy but a red line for Mrs May. Olly Robbins, the Prime Minister’s chief Brexit negotiator, was also in attendance.

Sir Keir Starmer and Rebecca Longbailey were with Mr Corbyn in the meeting with Mrs May. The Prime Minister was joined by Julian Smith, her chief whip; Gavin Barwell, her chief of staff; and Stephen Barclay, the Brexit Secretary.

After the meeting, Mr Corbyn said: “I said this is the policy of our party, that we would want to pursue the option of a public vote to prevent crashing out or to prevent leaving with a bad deal.

“There was no agreement reached on that, we just put it there as one of the issues that the Labour Party conference voted on last year.”

In an attempt to play down expectations, he added: “There hasn’t been as much change as expected but we will have further discussions to explore technical issues. I put forward the view from the Labour Party that we want to achieve a customs union with the EU, access to the single market and dynamic regulatory alignment – that is a guarantee of European regulations as a minimum – on the environment, consumer and workers’ rights.”

Labour is deeply divided over a second referendum, with Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit secretary, Ms Thornberry and Mr Watson in favour.

On the other side, Ms Long-bailey, the shadow business secretary, Ian Lavery, the party chairman, and Jon Trickett, shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, are opposed. Ms Thornberry stated: “Yes – any deal agreed by Parliament must be subject to a confirmatory public vote, and yes – the other option on the ballot must be Remain.” Mr Watson has strongly endorsed a second referendum and last month attended the “People’s Vote” march in London.

When Labour decided to whip in favour of a referendum in the indicative votes process this week, both Mr Trickett and Mr Lavery abstained. During an emergency session of the shadow cabinet last night, Mr Lavery warned: “This party could be finished by a People’s Vote.” He warned Mr Corbyn he would split Labour apart if he supported it.

Ms Long-bailey made clear on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme her opposition: “If we get exactly what we want – a good strong deal – then I would struggle to find a reason to put that to a public vote,” she said. By contrast, Mr Starmer

‘We would want to pursue the option of a public vote to prevent crashing out or leaving with a bad deal’

told the Commons on Monday: “At this late stage it is clear that any Brexit deal agreed in this Parliament will need further democratic approval … it will ensure that any Tory Brexit deal is subject to a referendum lock.”

Mr Corbyn also called for any changes to the Political Declaration – which sets out the terms of the future relationship – to be enshrined in legislation amid concerns in Labour that Mrs May’s successor could simply rip up any deal she might have agreed with him.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, who held talks in Westminster with the Prime Minister and Mr Corbyn, said it was “not entirely clear” where Theresa May was willing to make concessions on Brexit.

Fearing a “bad compromise”, she said: “She seems to know where others might want to compromise but is not being particularly open about where her red lines might be moved.”

During Prime Minister’s Questions in the Commons yesterday, Mr Corbyn told MPS of Mrs May: “I welcome her willingness to compromise to resolve the Brexit deadlock.”