Tom Watson wants the Labour Party to take a “proudly Remain” stance

Labour must argue strongly to remain in the EU, Tom Watson will say today as the shadow cabinet considers hardening its support of a second referendum.

Mr Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, will make the case this morning for the party to take a “proudly Remain” stance. His speech had been designed to take place immediately before a meeting of Jeremy Corbyn’s top team amid pressure on the Labour leader to full-throatedly back a new vote.

But last night, barely more than 12 hours before the meeting, shadow cabinet ministers were told that it had been “postponed as a number of colleagues are unable to attend”.

Tuesday’s regular shadow cabinet meeting will go ahead, but climate change will be its central subject.

Mr Watson has been