Starmer opens door to second vote

Labour’s shadow Brexit secretary has said a second referendum on the terms of the UK’S exit from the EU should be “on the table”, in the biggest sign yet that opposition policy on a socalled “people’s vote” could change.

Mr Starmer suggested a referendum could take place if parliament rejected the Brexit deal presented to MPS by the prime minister.

Jeremy Corbyn has consistently ruled out a second EU referendum, saying only this week during a visit to Scotland that “there are no plans for anyone to hold a second referendum”.

The shadow international trade secretary, Barry Gardiner went further, warning there would be “civil disobedience” if the result of the 2016 vote were overturned.

But when asked about a new referendum on Thursday, Mr Starmer said: “I do think there needs to be a democratic check, I don’t think the prime minister can simply decide for herself what the future of this country looks like.

“I focused on the vote in parliament and the meaningful vote. If that vote is to reject the Article 50 deal, Parliament must decide what happens next. In those circumstances it seems to me that all options should be on the table.”

It is the latest sign that Mr Corbyn is coming under pressure from within his own party to consider a second EU referendum, with several major unions endorsing the campaign in recent weeks.

Responding to the publication of technical papers covering government advice and preparations for a no deal Brexit across 25 areas, Mr Starmer said: “We are eight weeks out from the deadline for reaching an agreement.

“Ministers should be getting on the job of negotiating a Brexit deal that works for Britain.”