Scottish Labour figures plead with Corbyn to back second EU referendum
Jeremy Corbyn faces a showdown with pro-eu figures in his own party when Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meets today to sign off its European elections manifesto.
Last year’s Labour conference saw delegates agree a policy in favour of a fresh EU vote in order to avoid a damaging Brexit deal. But there was anger last week among MPS and activists when draft election materials were circulated that made no mention of the party supporting a “confirmatory” referendum on the terms of Brexit.
Yesterday, ten members of the Scottish Labour Party executive wrote to “implore” their UK counterparts on the NEC to adopt an unequivocal position in favour of a second EU referendum, as agreed at the conference.
Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray, one of the signatories of the letter to the NEC, said that today’s meeting was a “pivotal moment for the Labour Party”.
“It is absolutely vital that the NEC listens to the views of party members and the country, and includes a cast-iron commitment to a confirmatory referendum on Brexit in the manifesto,” Mr Murray said. “Anything other than full adoption of our party policy that has been repeatedly stated by Jeremy in Parliament would be seen as disloyalty to Labour members and supporters.”
The SNP’S Westminster leader Ian Blackford said Labour would be “just as culpable as the Tories” for the economic fallout from Brexit if the party failed to campaign for a second EU referendum.
“Jeremy Corbyn must stop blocking a second EU referendum, and start working with the SNP to prevent Brexit and the lasting harm it will cause,” Mr Blackford said.
“By refusing to show any leadership, Labour is facilitating a Brexit disaster – and they will be just as culpable as the Tories for the damage to jobs, living standards, the economy and public services.”