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| Corbyn under pressure over people's vote as party agrees to keep option on table | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Senior allies of Jeremy Corbyn questioned the rationale for a fresh Brexit referendum on Sunday, as delegates to the party’s conference in Liverpool agreed a statement committing Labour to keeping the option on the table. | Senior allies of Jeremy Corbyn questioned the rationale for a fresh Brexit referendum on Sunday, as delegates to the party’s conference in Liverpool agreed a statement committing Labour to keeping the option on the table. |
| After a gruelling five-hour meeting with shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer, more than 100 delegates from trades unions and local parties drafted a two-page motion, which members in Liverpool are expected to pass on Tuesday. | After a gruelling five-hour meeting with shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer, more than 100 delegates from trades unions and local parties drafted a two-page motion, which members in Liverpool are expected to pass on Tuesday. |
| The key sentence of the final draft says: “If we cannot get a general election Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote.” | The key sentence of the final draft says: “If we cannot get a general election Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote.” |
| It adds: “If the government is confident in negotiating a deal that working people, our economy and communities will benefit from, they should not be afraid to put that deal to the public.” | It adds: “If the government is confident in negotiating a deal that working people, our economy and communities will benefit from, they should not be afraid to put that deal to the public.” |
| Campaigners were pleased with other elements of the two-page statement, including a promise to pursue “full participation in the single market”. | Campaigners were pleased with other elements of the two-page statement, including a promise to pursue “full participation in the single market”. |
| One anti-Brexit Labour source said: “This is clear movement from the party. We are now talking with clarity of voting down the deal if doesn’t meet our tests, calling for a general election and if that is not possible – – we want a public vote on the deal. | One anti-Brexit Labour source said: “This is clear movement from the party. We are now talking with clarity of voting down the deal if doesn’t meet our tests, calling for a general election and if that is not possible – – we want a public vote on the deal. |
| “Last year we didn’t even get a debate. What a difference a year makes.” | “Last year we didn’t even get a debate. What a difference a year makes.” |
| An initial motion which proposed a “a public vote on the terms of Brexit” was rejected by delegates as being too prescriptive, as it appeared to exclude the option to remain within the European Union. | An initial motion which proposed a “a public vote on the terms of Brexit” was rejected by delegates as being too prescriptive, as it appeared to exclude the option to remain within the European Union. |
| Michael Chessum, one of the key anti-Brexit campaigners from the leftwing group Another Europe is Possible, said it was not everything they had hoped for, but a step forward. “A huge anti-Brexit surge of Labour members has hit Labour conference. It hasn’t been fully reflected in the text – but we have a clear commitment that any public vote won’t just be on the terms of Brexit. It could include an option to remain,” he said. | Michael Chessum, one of the key anti-Brexit campaigners from the leftwing group Another Europe is Possible, said it was not everything they had hoped for, but a step forward. “A huge anti-Brexit surge of Labour members has hit Labour conference. It hasn’t been fully reflected in the text – but we have a clear commitment that any public vote won’t just be on the terms of Brexit. It could include an option to remain,” he said. |
| However, the wording is close to the position expressed in recent days by Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell – with both making clear their preference for a general election that could allow Labour to take over the negotiations. | However, the wording is close to the position expressed in recent days by Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell – with both making clear their preference for a general election that could allow Labour to take over the negotiations. |
| Earlier in the day, several of Corbyn’s senior supporters underlined their concerns about what they see as the risks of a “people’s vote”. | Earlier in the day, several of Corbyn’s senior supporters underlined their concerns about what they see as the risks of a “people’s vote”. |
| The shadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, whose Salford constituency voted leave, told the Guardian she was concerned the Tories would be able to dictate the question. | The shadow business secretary, Rebecca Long-Bailey, whose Salford constituency voted leave, told the Guardian she was concerned the Tories would be able to dictate the question. |
| In the run-up to the Labour conference, local parties can submit motions on any contemporary topic for debate. After a concerted push by grassroots activists, more than 150 constituency parties (CLPs) have submitted motions on Brexit, an unprecedented number. For comparison, the topic with the second highest number of motions submitted – the NHS – has been put forward by 10 CLPs. | In the run-up to the Labour conference, local parties can submit motions on any contemporary topic for debate. After a concerted push by grassroots activists, more than 150 constituency parties (CLPs) have submitted motions on Brexit, an unprecedented number. For comparison, the topic with the second highest number of motions submitted – the NHS – has been put forward by 10 CLPs. |
| However, the motions are not identical. The majority call for a second referendum directly, some express preference for an election, others call for an EEA-style Brexit. When different motions are submitted on one topic, delegates from the local parties who submitted motions, as well as trade union representatives, meet the shadow cabinet member responsible, in this case Keir Starmer, to agree a "composite motion" to be put to the conference floor for a vote. This is usually a compromise taking in all the elements of the different motions. | However, the motions are not identical. The majority call for a second referendum directly, some express preference for an election, others call for an EEA-style Brexit. When different motions are submitted on one topic, delegates from the local parties who submitted motions, as well as trade union representatives, meet the shadow cabinet member responsible, in this case Keir Starmer, to agree a "composite motion" to be put to the conference floor for a vote. This is usually a compromise taking in all the elements of the different motions. |
| Usually this is a straightforward process, because there are only a handful of delegates and union reps in the room. This time, there are likely to be more than 100 people in the room from all the local parties who submitted motions, so things could get complicated. | Usually this is a straightforward process, because there are only a handful of delegates and union reps in the room. This time, there are likely to be more than 100 people in the room from all the local parties who submitted motions, so things could get complicated. |
| The final version is likely to be a compromise which expresses preference for an election but keeps the option of a referendum on the table. And Labour's governing body, the national executive committee, could offer a replacement statement of its own for the vote instead. | The final version is likely to be a compromise which expresses preference for an election but keeps the option of a referendum on the table. And Labour's governing body, the national executive committee, could offer a replacement statement of its own for the vote instead. |
| “My worry about a second referendum is that they will be holding the pen,” she said. “What will the referendum be on?” | “My worry about a second referendum is that they will be holding the pen,” she said. “What will the referendum be on?” |
| And she added that some Labour-supporting leave voters might feel the party didn’t trust them. “I do worry about it, because I think a lot of people will feel sold-out,” she said. “Some people will think: ‘How many times do you ask before you get the answer you want?’” | And she added that some Labour-supporting leave voters might feel the party didn’t trust them. “I do worry about it, because I think a lot of people will feel sold-out,” she said. “Some people will think: ‘How many times do you ask before you get the answer you want?’” |
| Another shadow cabinet minister, Richard Burgon, warned of what he called “a dangerous situation for the whole political class”. | Another shadow cabinet minister, Richard Burgon, warned of what he called “a dangerous situation for the whole political class”. |
| Asked about the prospect of a people’s vote, the shadow justice secretary echoed concerns expressed by McDonnell. “I have a real worry that it would unleash the populist right wing,” he said, adding: “I think the role of the Labour party now is to reduce divisions and bring people together.” | Asked about the prospect of a people’s vote, the shadow justice secretary echoed concerns expressed by McDonnell. “I have a real worry that it would unleash the populist right wing,” he said, adding: “I think the role of the Labour party now is to reduce divisions and bring people together.” |
| Meanwhile, Steve Howell, who oversaw Labour’s digital strategy in 2017 and has written a book about the campaign, warned that a referendum would be “a gift to Farage and co”. | Meanwhile, Steve Howell, who oversaw Labour’s digital strategy in 2017 and has written a book about the campaign, warned that a referendum would be “a gift to Farage and co”. |
| 1/ Yesterday's front pages are just a tiny taste of what will happen in a #PeoplesVote. It's a gift to Farage & co, allowing them to pose as democrats standing up for Britain against unelected Brussels bureaucrats and elitist Remainers who only respect votes that go their way. pic.twitter.com/WmN7aJdsoH | 1/ Yesterday's front pages are just a tiny taste of what will happen in a #PeoplesVote. It's a gift to Farage & co, allowing them to pose as democrats standing up for Britain against unelected Brussels bureaucrats and elitist Remainers who only respect votes that go their way. pic.twitter.com/WmN7aJdsoH |
| And Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite and a staunch supporter of the Labour leadership, told the BBC’s Jon Pienaar he doesn’t believe “remain” should be an option on the ballot paper in the event of another referendum. | And Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite and a staunch supporter of the Labour leadership, told the BBC’s Jon Pienaar he doesn’t believe “remain” should be an option on the ballot paper in the event of another referendum. |
| “The referendum shouldn’t be on: ‘Do we want to go back into the European Union?’”, he said. “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.” | “The referendum shouldn’t be on: ‘Do we want to go back into the European Union?’”, he said. “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.” |
| Labour strategists fear they will alienate leave-backing voters in the party’s traditional heartlands if they appear to be seeking to reverse Brexit. | Labour strategists fear they will alienate leave-backing voters in the party’s traditional heartlands if they appear to be seeking to reverse Brexit. |
| The party hopes that if Theresa May struggles to get her Brexit deal through parliament, it can push her to call a general election. | The party hopes that if Theresa May struggles to get her Brexit deal through parliament, it can push her to call a general election. |
| However, the party’s activists overwhelmingly favour a referendum, creating a rare rift between Corbyn and some of the members who joined the party to support him. Some delegates in Liverpool sported T-shirts and badges with the slogan “Love Corbyn, Hate Brexit”. | However, the party’s activists overwhelmingly favour a referendum, creating a rare rift between Corbyn and some of the members who joined the party to support him. Some delegates in Liverpool sported T-shirts and badges with the slogan “Love Corbyn, Hate Brexit”. |
| A “people’s vote” was overwhelmingly the most popular issue raised by constituency Labour parties (CLPs) that submitted so-called “contemporary motions” to conference – but the final wording was negotiated at a packed meeting on Sunday evening, chaired by shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer. | A “people’s vote” was overwhelmingly the most popular issue raised by constituency Labour parties (CLPs) that submitted so-called “contemporary motions” to conference – but the final wording was negotiated at a packed meeting on Sunday evening, chaired by shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer. |
| Starmer held a series of one-to-one meetings throughout the day in the hope of reaching a compromise. | Starmer held a series of one-to-one meetings throughout the day in the hope of reaching a compromise. |
| Grassroots delegates groups including the youth group FFS and the leftwing groups Another Europe is Possible and Labour for a People’s Vote held briefing meetings, to agree their stance. | Grassroots delegates groups including the youth group FFS and the leftwing groups Another Europe is Possible and Labour for a People’s Vote held briefing meetings, to agree their stance. |
| Though Corbyn, McDonnell and others have repeatedly said they will not rule out a people’s vote, they are under pressure to agree to a firmer position that would see Labour advocate a poll. | Though Corbyn, McDonnell and others have repeatedly said they will not rule out a people’s vote, they are under pressure to agree to a firmer position that would see Labour advocate a poll. |
| People’s Vote campaigners held a well-attended rally in Liverpool on Sunday, close to the conference centre. | People’s Vote campaigners held a well-attended rally in Liverpool on Sunday, close to the conference centre. |
| Labour is now due to elect a second deputy leader, alongside party veteran Tom Watson, as part of a controversial set of rule-changes agreed by delegates on Sunday. Some campaigners hope a pro-referendum candidate will stand, as a way of piling fresh pressure on the leadership over the issue. | Labour is now due to elect a second deputy leader, alongside party veteran Tom Watson, as part of a controversial set of rule-changes agreed by delegates on Sunday. Some campaigners hope a pro-referendum candidate will stand, as a way of piling fresh pressure on the leadership over the issue. |
| Eloise Todd, of Best for Britain, said: “Labour’s new female deputy leader should be someone who represents the grassroots of the party, and that means giving the people, not politicians, the final say on the Brexit deal, which is what the overwhelming majority of party members support.” | Eloise Todd, of Best for Britain, said: “Labour’s new female deputy leader should be someone who represents the grassroots of the party, and that means giving the people, not politicians, the final say on the Brexit deal, which is what the overwhelming majority of party members support.” |
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