As Chuka’s lined up as leader, rebels reveal price for backing May
THE new Independent Group of MPs could prop up Theresa May’s government in return for a second Brexit referendum, one of its members said yesterday.
Former Labour MP Gavin Shuker said the group could, like the DUP, strike a ‘confidence and supply’ arrangement with the Tories if Mrs May backed another vote.
His comments came as Chuka Umunna, who withdrew from the Labour leadership race in 2015, emerged as the favourite to lead the new group.
Two other ex-Labour MPs, Chris Leslie and Luciana Berger, are also vying for the position – which should be decided on Monday.
Mr Shuker said it would be ‘in the national interest’ to provide stability through any fresh referendum on Britain’s EU membership, which could take a year to arrange.
He suggested the option of support was on the table if Mrs May backs an amendment expected to be tabled by Labour’s Peter Kyle, whereby MPs would support her Brexit deal if it is approved in a public vote. His comments suggest that the Independent Group sees an opportunity to replace the DUP as the PM’s ‘confidence and supply’ partners – meaning they would back the Tories on key votes – if she chooses a softer Brexit.
Mr Shuker told the Huffington Post website: ‘I think the most sensible way forward is for the Government to adopt what’s become known as the “Kyle amendment”.
‘And in those circumstances I think the national interest would be served by seeing a period of stability to get that referendum done.’
Labour has accused its former MP Joan Ryan of illegally accessing private data systems to contact party members.
She was reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office after becoming the eighth MP to quit the party and join the Independent Group on Tuesday.