Confusion over party’s Brexit stance ahead of vote

A vote on Brexit brings scant chance of following through on Corbyn’s promise of a new kind of politics

Labour will vote down Theresa May’s Brexit deal, the party will pledge today after its bid to stake out a bold new stance on leaving the European Union collapsed into confusion.

Sir Keir Starmer will effectively rule out Labour supporting any agreement the Prime Minister brings back from Brussels, arguing that it is already clear Mrs May will fail to meet Labour’s six tests on securing a Brexit that protects business and workers.

“If the Prime Minister thinks we’ll wave through a vague deal asking us to jump blindfolded into the unknown she can think again,” he will say. “We will vote down a blind Brexit.”

Labour members at the party’s conference in Liverpool will vote on a motion today that leaves the door open to a second EU referendum, if the government fails to allow a general election.

After the language of the motion was thrashed out by party chiefs in a lengthy meeting on Sunday, there was confusion as shadow chancellor John Mcdonnell and Sir Keir appeared to contradict one another over whether Labour could back an option for the UK to stay in the EU.

Having begun the day saying that a so-called People’s Vote should be a choice between “deal or no deal” Brexit, Mr Mcdonnell later reversed his comments, saying all options were on the table.

The Labour Party conference will this afternoon vote on whether to “keep all options on the table” when it comes to Brexit.

This aspiration, broad and vague as it is, may include the possibility of campaigning for a new referendum. But before any frustrated Remainers get too excited, it’s worth paying attention to the detail. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and is closest allies at the top of the party are no more enthusiastic about the possibility of a second referendum than they were yesterday.

Keeping all options on the table is language of the most non-committal nature. Anyone who would like to truly understand the Labour leadership’s position should pay attention to remarks made early yesterday by shadow chancellor, John Mcdonnell, who said any socalled “People’s Vote” should be on the terms of the Brexit deal rather than on whether the UK should, in fact, remain part of the EU.

Labour Party members may yesterday have waved banners reading “Hate Brexit – Love Corbyn” but the very most it seems they can hope from the party leadership is support for a referendum which offers a choice between whatever deal Theresa May is able to salvage from the chaos - and a potentially-catastrophic no deal.

Later yesterday, Mr Mcdonnell adopted the “all options on the table” party line but the truth was already out there. When Mr Corbyn succeeded Ed Miliband as Labour leader in 2015, he promised a new kind of politics but it is becoming increasingly apparent that with increased trade union influence and the centralising of power to a small clique, the modern Labour party is the living breathing example of what we might consider the old politics. And the bad old politics, at that.

Prime Minister Theresa May limps on, politically wounded by treacherous colleagues, humiliated by the EU, and struggling to find a vaguely plausible narrative on Brexit. Add to this unfortunate mix polling which shows growing support to reverse the decision take in 2016, and Labour is presented with the opportunity to seize the initiative, and perhaps even help the UK avert the worst impact of Brexit. Yet still he refuses to show leadership.

Jeremy Corbyn may have convinced his supporters that they all have a voice in his party. Those who do not parrot the leadership line on Brexit should not, however, expect to be listened to.