Labour frontbencher warns colleagues not to back Brexit for cash

THE SHADOW Communities Secretary has urged wavering MPs in cash-starved communities not to back Theresa May’s Brexit deal in return for a “carrot of extra money”.

Andrew Gwynne called on colleagues not to feel “duty-bound” to back the Prime Minister when she brings her Withdrawal Agreement back to the Commons, in return for investment in their area.

Number 10 has been in talks with a handful of opposition MPs in recent weeks, leading to speculation that some could agree to back her deal after being promised extra cash for their constituencies.

But speaking at a briefing to journalists yesterday, Mr Gwynne said: “I think that that is entirely the wrong approach to this country’s problems.

“MPs should not feel dutybound to vote for something that in their hearts they don’t think is right for the country because they are being offered the carrot of extra money for their communities.

“And if those communities are what we call left behind communities then it is incumbent in that government, whoever is in government, to put that right, and not to use them as bargaining chips.” This comes as the Labour MP hailed his party’s new plan to give council leaders regular meetings with Cabinet Ministers.

The Local Government Commission initiative would bring together council leaders and metro mayors from every region to meet monthly with the secretary of state, allowing them to inform decision making.

Speaking on Saturday, Mr Gwynne said: “To fix our broken political system which leaves people feeling disconnected and disillusioned... we need to put local people and communities at the heart of decisionmaking.”