This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jo-stevens-is-first-shadow-cabinet-member-to-quit-over-jeremy-corbyns-order-to-vote-for-brexit-a7549656.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Jo Stevens is first Labour Shadow Cabinet member to quit over Jeremy Corbyn's order to 'vote for Brexit' | Jo Stevens is first Labour Shadow Cabinet member to quit over Jeremy Corbyn's order to 'vote for Brexit' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A member of Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet has quit her post, reigniting Labour’s bitter war over Brexit. | A member of Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet has quit her post, reigniting Labour’s bitter war over Brexit. |
| Jo Stevens, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, said leaving the EU would be “a terrible mistake” and she could not vote for it, as instructed by the Labour leader. | Jo Stevens, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, said leaving the EU would be “a terrible mistake” and she could not vote for it, as instructed by the Labour leader. |
| “I expect this to be the most important vote I will ever cast as an MP and for me it is a clear issue of principle and conscience,” she said. | “I expect this to be the most important vote I will ever cast as an MP and for me it is a clear issue of principle and conscience,” she said. |
| The resignation came despite an olive branch offered by the leadership, after Mr Corbyn imposed a three-line whip to vote for the Article 50 Bill next week. | The resignation came despite an olive branch offered by the leadership, after Mr Corbyn imposed a three-line whip to vote for the Article 50 Bill next week. |
| Diane Abbott, the Shadow Home Secretary, said Labour MPs might be allowed to oppose the Bill at a later stage if its amendments are thrown out. | Diane Abbott, the Shadow Home Secretary, said Labour MPs might be allowed to oppose the Bill at a later stage if its amendments are thrown out. |
| However, the move failed to prevent the first loss of a Shadow Cabinet member since Mr Corbyn triumphed in last summer’s leadership battle. | However, the move failed to prevent the first loss of a Shadow Cabinet member since Mr Corbyn triumphed in last summer’s leadership battle. |
| In a letter to her leader, Ms Stevens said she was “a passionate European” who had voted to remain, as had most people in her city and constituency of Cardiff. | In a letter to her leader, Ms Stevens said she was “a passionate European” who had voted to remain, as had most people in her city and constituency of Cardiff. |
| She said she accepted the referendum result and recognised that she could not block the passage of the EU withdrawal Bill. | |
| But she added: “I believe that leaving is a terrible mistake and I cannot reconcile my overwhelming view that to endorse the step that will make exit inevitable is wrong. | But she added: “I believe that leaving is a terrible mistake and I cannot reconcile my overwhelming view that to endorse the step that will make exit inevitable is wrong. |
| “When I vote I will be representing my constituents, a great many of whom, including a great many Labour party members and voters, have strongly urged me to vote in this way. | “When I vote I will be representing my constituents, a great many of whom, including a great many Labour party members and voters, have strongly urged me to vote in this way. |
| “That is why, in Shadow Cabinet, I argued against the imposition of a three-line whip.” | “That is why, in Shadow Cabinet, I argued against the imposition of a three-line whip.” |
| The resignation follows that of a junior shadow minister, Tulip Siddiq, who resigned immediately after Mr Corbyn ordered his MPs into line. | The resignation follows that of a junior shadow minister, Tulip Siddiq, who resigned immediately after Mr Corbyn ordered his MPs into line. |
| Two whips, Jeff Smith and Thangam Debbonaire, have said they will defy Mr Corbyn, as has transport spokesman Daniel Zeichner. | Two whips, Jeff Smith and Thangam Debbonaire, have said they will defy Mr Corbyn, as has transport spokesman Daniel Zeichner. |
| Mr Zeichner told the Cambridge News” “They know my position and they understand exactly why I'm doing what I'm doing and it's for them to decide what to do next.” | Mr Zeichner told the Cambridge News” “They know my position and they understand exactly why I'm doing what I'm doing and it's for them to decide what to do next.” |
| Ms Abbott suggested the Labour rebels would escape punishment, saying there was “great sympathy” for MPs in pro-Remain constituencies. | Ms Abbott suggested the Labour rebels would escape punishment, saying there was “great sympathy” for MPs in pro-Remain constituencies. |
| And she defended Mr Corbyn's stand, telling the BBC: “You have to remember how this looks to people in post-industrial Britain, former mining areas, the North, the Midlands, South Wales. | And she defended Mr Corbyn's stand, telling the BBC: “You have to remember how this looks to people in post-industrial Britain, former mining areas, the North, the Midlands, South Wales. |
| “It would look as if elites were refusing to listen to them. It would be wrong. | “It would look as if elites were refusing to listen to them. It would be wrong. |
| “How could MPs vote for a referendum and then turn around and say 'It went the wrong way so we are ignoring it'?” | “How could MPs vote for a referendum and then turn around and say 'It went the wrong way so we are ignoring it'?” |
| However, Ms Abbott also sparked further confusion about Labour’s position, saying: “Are we going to vote with the Tories come what may? This is a question of opening the process. | However, Ms Abbott also sparked further confusion about Labour’s position, saying: “Are we going to vote with the Tories come what may? This is a question of opening the process. |
| “We will seek to amend and, if we are not able to get any of our amendments through, clearly we will have to review our position.” | “We will seek to amend and, if we are not able to get any of our amendments through, clearly we will have to review our position.” |
| A Labour source confirmed to The Independent that the Shadow Cabinet decision was to support the Bill at second reading only, in a vote next Wednesday. | A Labour source confirmed to The Independent that the Shadow Cabinet decision was to support the Bill at second reading only, in a vote next Wednesday. |
| That will be followed by three days of line-by-line scrutiny in a Bill committee, at which Labour will attempt to shape the Brexit process. | That will be followed by three days of line-by-line scrutiny in a Bill committee, at which Labour will attempt to shape the Brexit process. |
| Most important, it is demanding a “meaningful vote” in Parliament on the final Brexit deal – early enough for Ms May to seek better terms if hers are rejected by MPs. | Most important, it is demanding a “meaningful vote” in Parliament on the final Brexit deal – early enough for Ms May to seek better terms if hers are rejected by MPs. |
| The source insisted there was no question of Labour MPs being told to vote against Article 50 Bill – even if all the amendments fall – but the whip could be removed. | |
| Clive Lewis, the Shadow Business Secretary, has said he will vote for the Bill on second reading, but could withdraw support in the final stages. | Clive Lewis, the Shadow Business Secretary, has said he will vote for the Bill on second reading, but could withdraw support in the final stages. |