Labour MPs pushed to brink by Corbyn’s refusal to back Brexit vote – Murray

LABOUR MPs are being “pushed to the brink” by the leadership’s refusal to throw the party’s weight behind a second referendum, one pro-Remain backbencher has warned.

Ian Murray was speaking amid growing speculation that Labour MPs may quit the party out of frustration with leader Jeremy Corbyn’s stance on EU withdrawal.

Former frontbencher Chuka Umunna said on Thursday he did not “give a damn... about keeping any party together” when compared to the overriding priority of avoiding a no-deal Brexit.

And ex-shadow chancellor Chris Leslie told the House of Commons Labour supporters are being “played for fools” by a leadership which would not put into effect a motion passed unanimously at annual conference to keep the option of a second referendum on the table.

Labour says the option of a referendum does remain on the table, but Mr Corbyn’s focus in recent weeks has been on his five demands for a Brexit involving a customs union with the EU, close alignment with the Single Market and matching workplace and environmental protections.

Mr Murray said the party had gone through all of the stages set out in the motion – including seeking an early election – and should now formally move to backing a so-called People’s Vote.

“The leadership are doing everything they possibly can to stop that

from happening,” he told BBC Two’s Politics Live.

He said “a lot” of Labour MPs are “fed up” with the leadership position on Brexit.

He added: “It’s not just Labour MPs who are being played for fools, it’s the country and Labour Party members and supporters.

“There is a very solid party policy on the table at the moment that was agreed at party conference – and Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer took a standing ovation when he mentioned a People’s Vote with an option to Remain.

“It’s what Labour voters, Labour supporters, Labour members want, it’s what the country is increasingly looking at to try to break the impasse in Parliament.”