This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45616308

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Brexit: Labour 'would back members' on new vote, says leadership Brexit: Labour 'would back members' on new vote, says leadership
(about 2 hours later)
Labour's leader and deputy leader say they 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.
Leader Jeremy Corbyn told the Sunday Mirror he was not calling for a new vote but would "adhere to" any decision made at this week's party conference. 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.
And deputy leader Tom Watson, speaking to the Observer, said the view of party members must be respected. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab ruled out a snap election this autumn, saying the idea was "for the birds".
It comes as a poll for the newspaper suggests 86% of members want a vote on the outcome of Brexit negotiations. And a Sunday Mirror poll suggests 86% of Labour members want a vote on the outcome of Brexit negotiations.
The party has never formally rejected the option of a further vote but both Mr Corbyn and Mr Watson have indicated they would prefer the issue 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.
But he added: "Let's see what comes out of conference. Obviously I'm bound by the democracy of our party."
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.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.
But Labour's deputy leader Tom 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." 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."
Earlier he 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." 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."
In his interview with the Sunday Mirror, Mr Corbyn said: "I'm not calling for a second referendum. I hope we will agree that the best way of resolving this is a general election.
"But I was elected to empower the members of the party. So if conference makes a decision I will not walk away from it and I will act accordingly."
According to the 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 the 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 a second referendum to take into account the "real risk" of stoking racial tensions and far-right populism.
Analysis: 'Pressure could reach boiling point'
By Iain Watson, BBC political correspondent
Two significant shifts have happened on the eve of Labour conference and they both involve Tom Watson.
While not technically departing from the party's official line that a new Brexit referendum shouldn't be "off the table" but an election is preferable, the deputy leader is sounding far warmer to the referendum idea after a poll of Labour members suggested 86% would back one.
He has suggested that if there were an early election then there would be pressure to make a referendum a manifesto commitment.
His views are important because - like Jeremy Corbyn - he has a mandate from the membership.
But another development should not be understated.
Labour's National Executive has decided to recommend the creation of an additional deputy leadership post.
That raises the prospect of a candidate standing on a platform of a new EU referendum. If they get that mandate, the pressure on the existing leadership to change position could reach boiling point.
The UK electorate voted to leave the EU by 51.89% to 48.11% in a referendum in June 2016.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 Prime Minister 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 Prime Minister 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".