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| Labour NEC backs second referendum in specific circumstances | Labour NEC backs second referendum in specific circumstances |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Labour’s ruling national executive committee has agreed its manifesto for the European elections will back a second Brexit referendum, but only in specific circumstances. | |
| After a crunch meeting lasting almost five hours, the party issued a statement to say the manifesto had been agreed. | |
| “The NEC agreed the manifesto which will be fully in line with Labour’s existing policy; to support Labour’s alternative plan and, if we can’t get the necessary changes to the government’s deal, or a general election, to back the option of a public vote,” a Labour source said. | |
| The outcome appeared to mark a defeat for Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, who had been pushing publicly for any deal agreed with the government in cross-party talks to be subject to a confirmatory referendum. | The outcome appeared to mark a defeat for Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, who had been pushing publicly for any deal agreed with the government in cross-party talks to be subject to a confirmatory referendum. |
| However, Labour MPs strongly supportive of a second Brexit vote hailed the statement, which they claimed was the first public commitment by the party to “back” a referendum. | |
| Great news that @uklabour NEC backing conference policy on #FinalSay public vote on #Brexit - will be clearly stated for first time in a manifesto #EuropeanElections @LabPeoplesVote - time to get out and back out excellent @WelshLabour @UKLabour MEP candidates! | Great news that @uklabour NEC backing conference policy on #FinalSay public vote on #Brexit - will be clearly stated for first time in a manifesto #EuropeanElections @LabPeoplesVote - time to get out and back out excellent @WelshLabour @UKLabour MEP candidates! |
| Watson had earlier staged a “polite” walkout from a shadow cabinet meeting where the issue was being discussed, when a draft text was not handed out. | Watson had earlier staged a “polite” walkout from a shadow cabinet meeting where the issue was being discussed, when a draft text was not handed out. |
| He told reporters: “In the last few days, most of my colleagues on the NEC have been inundated with thousands of emails from Labour members who are saying that Labour voters recognise the parliamentary failure and they think that the only way to break this impasse is a people’s vote on any deal that parliament can agree. | He told reporters: “In the last few days, most of my colleagues on the NEC have been inundated with thousands of emails from Labour members who are saying that Labour voters recognise the parliamentary failure and they think that the only way to break this impasse is a people’s vote on any deal that parliament can agree. |
| “We have to listen to members, we have to listen to our European parliamentary candidates who support this, but there will be a debate at the shadow cabinet and the NEC – we’ll see what comes out of it.” | “We have to listen to members, we have to listen to our European parliamentary candidates who support this, but there will be a debate at the shadow cabinet and the NEC – we’ll see what comes out of it.” |
| Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, had been keen to avoid the party issuing a full-throated remain message, however, particularly in the run-up to local elections on Thursday. | Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, had been keen to avoid the party issuing a full-throated remain message, however, particularly in the run-up to local elections on Thursday. |
| A spokeswoman said: “Labour is the only party which represents both people who supported leave and remain. We are working to bring the country together after the chaos and crisis created by the Tories.” | A spokeswoman said: “Labour is the only party which represents both people who supported leave and remain. We are working to bring the country together after the chaos and crisis created by the Tories.” |
| The composite motion brokered by Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, in a meeting of hundreds of local party delegates, said: “If we cannot get a general election, Labour must support all options remaining on the table, including campaigning for a public vote. | |
| “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.” | |
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