Learn indyref lessons or face Labour wipeout
SCOTS MP’S WARNING TO CORBYN..
JEREMY Corbyn was warned last night to learn the lessons of the Scottish independence referendum or face being “washed away” in next week’s European elections.
During a furious encounter, Corbyn was told by Ian Murray that he risked a repeat of the party’s 2015 election wipeout in Scotland, which left the Edinburgh South MP as Labour’s only Westminster representative from north of the Border.
At a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, Murray reportedly said: “We are not learning the lesson of 2014.
“My party members aren’t voting Labour as our EU message is awful.
“And we are putting out leaflets in Scotland that say, ‘Vote Labour to stop Farage’. That will not work”.
Murray added: “If the UK dam bursts, Jeremy will be responsible for washing all of us away and the Labour Party with it.”
Corbyn told the meeting: “I do understand the frustrations about campaign material and the way in which they have been put to people. I’ll be taking action immediately to make sure you get answers.”
He added: “I understand the need for a clear message.
“I don’t want to be in a position where voters don’t understand what we’re saying. The only way is to strengthen our message in an understandable, simpler way – I get that.”
The latest round of talks between Labour and the Tory Government to try to break the Brexit deadlock ended last night with no “substantive” progress having been made.
Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer earlier said there was no way a deal would get through Parliament unless it included a second referendum.
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson also warned that up to 150 Labour MPs would vote down a deal that didn’t include a second poll, although that is not the party’s official line.
Theresa May’s Cabinet will meet today to discuss the deadlock. Ministers might back a series of indicative votes to find out what MPs can agree on.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “We continue to seek to agree a way forward in order to secure our orderly withdrawal from the EU.”