This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/24/mcdonnell-new-brexit-referendum-should-not-include-remain-option
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| McDonnell: new Brexit referendum should not include remain option | McDonnell: new Brexit referendum should not include remain option |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A fresh Brexit referendum should be only about a departure deal and should not include the option of staying in the EU, John McDonnell has indicated, in comments likely to dismay Labour members pushing for a so-called people’s vote. | A fresh Brexit referendum should be only about a departure deal and should not include the option of staying in the EU, John McDonnell has indicated, in comments likely to dismay Labour members pushing for a so-called people’s vote. |
| The shadow chancellor said he would back the idea of a new referendum if a general election did not happen. But he argued that while it was up to parliament to decide the question, he believed it should be just “a vote on the deal itself”. | The shadow chancellor said he would back the idea of a new referendum if a general election did not happen. But he argued that while it was up to parliament to decide the question, he believed it should be just “a vote on the deal itself”. |
| “If we are going to respect the last referendum, it will be about the deal, it will a negotiation on the deal,” McDonnell said. | “If we are going to respect the last referendum, it will be about the deal, it will a negotiation on the deal,” McDonnell said. |
| The party’s conference in Liverpool is likely to pass a statement thrashed out by delegates late on Sunday that commits Labour to keeping the option of a second referendum on the table. | The party’s conference in Liverpool is likely to pass a statement thrashed out by delegates late on Sunday that commits Labour to keeping the option of a second referendum on the table. |
| After a gruelling five-hour meeting with the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, more than 100 delegates from trade unions and local parties drafted a two-page motion, which members were expected to pass on Tuesday. | After a gruelling five-hour meeting with the shadow Brexit secretary, Keir Starmer, more than 100 delegates from trade unions and local parties drafted a two-page motion, which members were 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.” |
| The statement has prompted concern from some allies of Jeremy Corbyn, with Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, saying he did not think “remain” should be an option on the ballot paper. | The statement has prompted concern from some allies of Jeremy Corbyn, with Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, saying he did not think “remain” should be an option on the ballot paper. |
| Asked about the issue on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, McDonnell said: “If we don’t get a general election then yes, we’ll go for a people’s vote.” | Asked about the issue on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, McDonnell said: “If we don’t get a general election then yes, we’ll go for a people’s vote.” |
| Quizzed about what options should be part of a second referendum question, he said: “My view at the moment is that parliament will decide what will be on that ballot paper. We’ll be arguing that it should be a vote on the deal itself, and then enable us to go back and do the negotiations.” | Quizzed about what options should be part of a second referendum question, he said: “My view at the moment is that parliament will decide what will be on that ballot paper. We’ll be arguing that it should be a vote on the deal itself, and then enable us to go back and do the negotiations.” |
| Pressed on whether this definitely meant ruling out a “remain” option, McDonnell declined to fully clarify, but indicated again this was the case: “We’re respecting the referendum. We want a general election, If we can’t get that we’ll have a people’s vote. The people’s vote will be on the deal itself and whether we can negotiate a better one.” | Pressed on whether this definitely meant ruling out a “remain” option, McDonnell declined to fully clarify, but indicated again this was the case: “We’re respecting the referendum. We want a general election, If we can’t get that we’ll have a people’s vote. The people’s vote will be on the deal itself and whether we can negotiate a better one.” |
| He added: “Parliament will determine the nature of the question that will be put, but the first stage of that is to see if we can get a deal that is acceptable and brings the country together again. And I’ve always thought we could.” | He added: “Parliament will determine the nature of the question that will be put, but the first stage of that is to see if we can get a deal that is acceptable and brings the country together again. And I’ve always thought we could.” |
| McDonnell’s caution is likely to disappoint Labour members pushing for a second referendum. A “people’s vote” was overwhelmingly the most popular issue raised by constituency Labour parties (CLPs) that submitted so-called “contemporary motions” to conference. | McDonnell’s caution is likely to disappoint Labour members pushing for a second referendum. A “people’s vote” was overwhelmingly the most popular issue raised by constituency Labour parties (CLPs) that submitted so-called “contemporary motions” to conference. |
| The final draft of the statement agreed with Starmer said: “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.” | The final draft of the statement agreed with Starmer said: “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 that 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 EU. | An initial motion that 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 EU. |
| 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. |
| Several of Corbyn’s senior supporters underlined their concerns about what they see as the risks of a “people’s vote”. | 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. |
| “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?” |
| She added that some Labour-supporting leave voters might feel the party did not 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?’” | She added that some Labour-supporting leave voters might feel the party did not 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”. |
| 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. |
| Brexit | Brexit |
| Labour conference 2018 | Labour conference 2018 |
| Labour conference | Labour conference |
| Labour | |
| John McDonnell | John McDonnell |
| European Union | European Union |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |