Labour activists prepare to confront Jeremy Corbyn over calls for fresh EU referendum

Liz Bates

Jeremy Corbyn is under increasing pressure to back a second EU referendum, as Labour activists prepare to force the issue at the party’s annual conference.



According to the Guardian, 150 Constituency Labour Parties are considering challenging the Labour leader’s opposition to a second vote when the party gathers in Liverpool in September.

The paper reports that some local parties have already agreed to adopt a motion for a fresh vote, while others are considering it.

The motion states that when the Government puts its final deal with Brussels to Parliament Labour should “call for an immediate general election and make a manifesto commitment to call a public vote on the deal with an option to remain in the EU".

It adds: “If we cannot get a general election, still campaign for a public vote, and call for a general election following a government defeat in that vote.”

A Shadow Cabinet minister said: “We’re not there yet but there’s been a very definite shift internally over the last few weeks in support of a public vote.

“It would have to be framed as a vote on the government’s Brexit deal, rather than a rerun of the original referendum, as we have always said we respect the result.”

Support is also growing withing trade unions and Momentum for a second referendum.

General secretary of the TSSA union, Manuel Cortes, said: “There is nothing in this for working people.

“That’s why the trade union movement is increasingly moving towards supporting a popular vote on the deal.”

A senior Momentum source said: “There’s definitely a view that there should be a debate on it at conference.

“The problem last year was that a lot of the motions put forward were put forward by remainers who didn’t have the best interests of leadership at heart.

“But this year it looks like there will be motions that will be about Brexit and the Labour party’s position on it without being deliberately written in a way that would criticise the leadership.

“They’re likely to be more sympathetic to Corbyn so will get a better hearing.”

However, a spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: “A second referendum is not our policy and we are not arguing for one.”

The row comes after a shock new poll by Sky released yesterday found that half of Britain's voters would now support a second EU referendum.

Mr Corbyn has repeatedly resisted calls for a fresh vote and earlier this year sacked Owen Smith from the shadow cabinet over his support for the position.