Labour seats ‘vulnerable’

AN ICM poll has suggested that the seats of eight Labour MPs in Wales – including seats in Bridgend and Newport – would become vulnerable at a general election if the party fails to support a People’s Vote with Remain as an option.

The poll, conducted in 54 Leave-voting Labour constituencies in Wales and England, indicates that if MPs in the seats concerned follow the party’s current policy to vote down Theresa May’s proposed Brexit deal without backing another referendum, their majorities would be slashed and they would become vulnerable to defeat.

The seats affected in Wales include Bridgend, currently held by Madeleine Moon; David Hanson’s Delyn; Newport West, where Paul Flynn is standing down; Vale of Clwyd, which Chris Ruane won back from the Conservatives last year; Ian Lucas’ Wrexham; Susan Elan Jones’ Clwyd South; and Ynys Mon, where sitting MP Albert Owen has been a strong supporter of a People’s Vote.

According to the poll results, Labour would slightly increase its lead over the Conservatives in these areas, from 7% at the 2017 General Election to 8% now, but only if it supports a People’s Vote when Parliament debates the issue next month.

If it fails to support a People’s Vote and just opposes the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, in line with its current plans, its lead falls to 2% and it loses 14 of the 54 seats across Wales and England.

Things are even worse for individual Labour MPs who vote against a People’s Vote should the party decide to back it.

Such MPs are much more likely to be voted out than those Labour MPs who vote with the rest of the party.

In fact, 19 out of the 54 would lose their seats by not supporting a People’s Vote.