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Brexit: Labour 'would back members' on new vote, says leadership Brexit: Labour 'would back members' on new vote, says Corbyn
(35 minutes later)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he would be ready to back another EU referendum, if party members want one.Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he would be ready to back another EU referendum, if party members want one.
He said he would be "bound" by the outcome of a vote at the Labour Party conference - although he would prefer to have a general election.He said he would be "bound" by the outcome of a vote at the Labour Party conference - although he would prefer to have a general election.
But Unite leader Len McCluskey said any referendum should not include the option of remaining in the EU.But Unite leader Len McCluskey said any referendum should not include the option of remaining in the EU.
Meanwhile Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab ruled out a snap election this autumn, saying the idea was "for the birds".Meanwhile Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab ruled out a snap election this autumn, saying the idea was "for the birds".
The party has never formally rejected the option of a further vote but both Mr Corbyn and his deputy, Tom Watson, have indicated they would prefer it to be resolved by a general election.The party has never formally rejected the option of a further vote but both Mr Corbyn and his deputy, Tom Watson, have indicated they would prefer it to be resolved by a general election.
Pressed on the issue on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Corbyn, who has said he is not calling for another referendum, said "our preference" is for a general election that would then allow a Labour government to negotiate the UK's future relationship with Europe.Pressed on the issue on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Corbyn, who has said he is not calling for another referendum, said "our preference" is for a general election that would then allow a Labour government to negotiate the UK's future relationship with Europe.
But he added: "Let's see what comes out of conference. Obviously I'm bound by the democracy of our party." He added: "Let's see what comes out of conference. Obviously I'm bound by the democracy of our party."
He said the UK "could be" close to a general election. Amid speculation that Labour could force a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May if Parliament rejects any Brexit deal, he said: "We will be putting our case to Parliament and we will see what happens after that. We are absolutely ready for it." But he said it was "conjecture" to suggest any referendum backed at the conference would be on remaining or leaving the EU: "We don't know what it would be."
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said much would depend on whether the motion clearly stated that Labour backed another referendum, or whether it would be more ambiguously worded so it did not tie the leadership's hands.
Mr Corbyn also told the programme the UK "could be" close to a general election. Amid speculation that Labour could force a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May if Parliament rejects any Brexit deal, he said: "We will be putting our case to Parliament and we will see what happens after that. We are absolutely ready for it."
He said Labour would be prepared to vote down any deal Mrs May came back with, if it did not meet a series of tests Labour has set out.
The party has made several policy announcements ahead of its annual conference - which begins in Liverpool later - including:The party has made several policy announcements ahead of its annual conference - which begins in Liverpool later - including:
However, campaigners are expected to use the conference to pile pressure on the Labour leadership to support a further referendum, with MPs and union leaders set to join a march calling for the leadership to back the so-called People's Vote.However, campaigners are expected to use the conference to pile pressure on the Labour leadership to support a further referendum, with MPs and union leaders set to join a march calling for the leadership to back the so-called People's Vote.
And more than 100 constituency parties have already submitted motions calling for the Labour policy on Brexit to be put to a vote. Party officials will decide on the wording of any Brexit motion later on Sunday.And more than 100 constituency parties have already submitted motions calling for the Labour policy on Brexit to be put to a vote. Party officials will decide on the wording of any Brexit motion later on Sunday.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith said much would depend on whether the motion clearly stated that Labour backed another referendum, or whether it would be more ambiguously worded so it did not tie the leadership's hands.
Mr Corbyn told the BBC there would be "clear votes" on the issue and Mr Watson said: "It's a bit of a binary choice. You can't really fudge that. I would imagine the conference will be given a clear choice."
But Unite leader Mr McCluskey told the BBC's Pienaar's Politics: "The referendum shouldn't be on 'do we want to go back into the European Union?'"But Unite leader Mr McCluskey told the BBC's Pienaar's Politics: "The referendum shouldn't be on 'do we want to go back into the European Union?'"
He added: "The people have already decided on that. We very rarely have referendums in this country. The people have decided against my wishes and my union's wishes but they've decided... For us to now enter some kind of campaign that opens up that issue again I think would be wrong."He added: "The people have already decided on that. We very rarely have referendums in this country. The people have decided against my wishes and my union's wishes but they've decided... For us to now enter some kind of campaign that opens up that issue again I think would be wrong."
Earlier Mr Watson told the Observer: "If the people's party decide they want the people to have a final say on the deal, we have to respect the view of our members and we will go out and argue for it."
According to a YouGov survey of 1,054 Labour members, commissioned by the People's Vote campaign, 86% wanted a final, public say on the outcome of Brexit negotiations, against 8% who opposed it.According to a YouGov survey of 1,054 Labour members, commissioned by the People's Vote campaign, 86% wanted a final, public say on the outcome of Brexit negotiations, against 8% who opposed it.
But the Brexit supporting Labour MP Kate Hoey described calls for another vote as the "last gasp" of people who had never wanted to accept the result of the 2016 referendum.But the Brexit supporting Labour MP Kate Hoey described calls for another vote as the "last gasp" of people who had never wanted to accept the result of the 2016 referendum.
She said another referendum was likely to be bigger than the last and, if a bigger majority voted to leave, "we're still in the same position".She said another referendum was likely to be bigger than the last and, if a bigger majority voted to leave, "we're still in the same position".
On Saturday shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned people calling for a second referendum to take into account the "real risk" of stoking racial tensions and far-right populism. On Saturday shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned people calling for another referendum to take into account the "real risk" of stoking racial tensions and far-right populism.
The UK electorate voted to leave the EU by 51.89% to 48.11% in a referendum in June 2016.
The UK is due to leave in March 2019 and Theresa May has been negotiating with other EU leaders on the UK's future relationship with the bloc.The UK is due to leave in March 2019 and Theresa May has been negotiating with other EU leaders on the UK's future relationship with the bloc.
Talks hit a stumbling block at a summit in Salzburg on Thursday when EU leaders rejected Mrs May's plan for Brexit - known as the Chequers agreement, and she warned them she was ready to walk away rather than accept a "bad deal".Talks hit a stumbling block at a summit in Salzburg on Thursday when EU leaders rejected Mrs May's plan for Brexit - known as the Chequers agreement, and she warned them she was ready to walk away rather than accept a "bad deal".
In a statement on Sunday, the prime minister said "many in Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP are trying to thwart Brexit at every step and seeking to exploit this moment for political gain" by calling for another referendum and extending Article 50 to delay Brexit.In a statement on Sunday, the prime minister said "many in Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP are trying to thwart Brexit at every step and seeking to exploit this moment for political gain" by calling for another referendum and extending Article 50 to delay Brexit.