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Outspoken veteran MP Barry Sheerman has broken ranks and condemned his own party's plan to allow a snap General Election.

This morning Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announced his party would now agree to fighting an election to break the Brexit stalemate.

His decision comes after weeks of refusing to agree to an election until No Deal was taken off the table and an extension to Brexit was secured.

While other Kirklees MPs have welcomed the election, likely to be held in the second week in December, Mr Sheerman has lashed out at the Labour leadership.

Writing on Twitter, he said: "Sheer madness to hold a General Election in December & on Boris Johnson's agenda!"

He added: "I hear Labour frontbenchers & whips resigning over decision to vote for December election."

Speaking to ExaminerLive, Mr Sheerman revealed there had been a sudden u-turn among Labour's top team.

He said: "The strategy as I understood it wasn't to go along with Boris Johnson's plan.

"The Shadow Cabinet met yesterday and there was a clear majority against it.

"But it seems Seamus Milne (Corbyn's strategy advisor) has had his ear overnight and turned him round.

"I'm against holding a General Election in mid-December when the issue of Brexit is not resolved.

"I want it to be after Brexit when we can campaign on the important issues like health, education and the economy.

"I'm seeking an urgent meeting with the party to discuss this."

Mr Corbyn said: "I have consistently said that we are ready for an election and our support is subject to a no-deal Brexit being off the table.



"We have now heard from the EU that the extension of Article 50 to January 31 has been confirmed, so for the next three months, our condition of taking no-deal off the table has now been met.



"We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change our country has ever seen."



poll loading Should we have a general election before Brexit is resolved? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes, it's the only way to get Brexit done No, we need to resolve Brexit first



The PM will this evening attempt to convince the Commons to vote for a December 12 election using a short Bill which sets aside the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act (FTPA).



But Mr Corbyn's move does not mean a December election is certain, with Labour expected to support amendments to the Bill.





The date of the election could be a sticking point with the Liberal Democrats and the SNP reluctant to accept his date - fearing it allows time to bring the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to implement the PM's new Brexit deal.



They have previously signalled support for a poll on December 9, but could put forward a proposal for an election on December 11.