Mcleish urges Corbyn to position Labour behind anti-brexit efforts

A former Labour first minister has urged Jeremy Corbyn to throw the party behind efforts to stop Britain leaving the European Union.

Henry Mcleish issued a plea to Labour’s leadership to use the “natural majority” for remaining in the EU at Westminster to “derail and ultimately defeat” Brexit.

Mr Mcleish, who was first minister from 2000 to 2001, also said it is the “final call” for the party on the issue of the constitution before Scotland movestowardsindependence.

Addressing an audience at the Edinburgh Internation- al Book Festival about his new book Citizens United, Mr Mcleish described Brexit as a “national act of self-harm” with “simply no benefits”.

He said: “If Labour had half a campaign running before the referendum, Brexit would not have won.

“The second point then is an invitation to Jeremy and (shadow chancellor) John Mcdonnell to put their own ideas of the EU and Europe behind them and use the House of Commons and/or another referendum to make sure that there’s a proper debate on this empty box that we voted on, once it is filled up.

“We are internationalists, Labour. By instinct and history we believe that protections for employees should be in place and not squandered in the return of legislation to Britain. There are so many pressing needs that Labour could embrace and I believe that the leadership of the Labour Party should now four-square be behind remaining.”

Mr Mcleish, who has previously said he could back Scottish independence in the event of Brexit, said he is “nearly there” on the question of an independent Scotland but still hopes federalism could be “the key to unlocking the constitutional door for Labour in Scotland”.