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| Corbyn aides seem to want Brexit no matter what, says Margaret Beckett | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Jeremy Corbyn wants to back a second EU referendum but some of his inner circle seem to want Brexit to be carried out no matter what, Labour’s Margaret Beckett has said. | Jeremy Corbyn wants to back a second EU referendum but some of his inner circle seem to want Brexit to be carried out no matter what, Labour’s Margaret Beckett has said. |
| Beckett, a former foreign secretary who is campaigning for a second referendum, said she thought the Labour leader was open to the idea but some of his closest advisers were preventing him from budging and would be prepared to allow a no-deal Brexit. | Beckett, a former foreign secretary who is campaigning for a second referendum, said she thought the Labour leader was open to the idea but some of his closest advisers were preventing him from budging and would be prepared to allow a no-deal Brexit. |
| “I don’t get the impression that Jeremy himself is the stumbling block,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “There are people very close with great influence on him who are passionately opposed to it … and he wants to keep the party together as much as possible. | “I don’t get the impression that Jeremy himself is the stumbling block,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “There are people very close with great influence on him who are passionately opposed to it … and he wants to keep the party together as much as possible. |
| “Unfortunately, it’s looking more and more that some of the people who he wants to accept the majority view are not just expressing reservations but completely oppose, and I’m beginning to think some of them do actually want Britain to leave no matter what and they don’t give a toss.” | “Unfortunately, it’s looking more and more that some of the people who he wants to accept the majority view are not just expressing reservations but completely oppose, and I’m beginning to think some of them do actually want Britain to leave no matter what and they don’t give a toss.” |
| She declined to say which advisers and Labour figures she was talking about. | She declined to say which advisers and Labour figures she was talking about. |
| Shadow cabinet ministers had been expecting Labour’s position to move to full backing for a remain position in a second referendum at a meeting on Tuesday. | Shadow cabinet ministers had been expecting Labour’s position to move to full backing for a remain position in a second referendum at a meeting on Tuesday. |
| But Corbyn is understood to have told shadow cabinet ministers there would be further consultation with unions and a decision on the next step in the coming weeks, to the frustration of several present including the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell. | But Corbyn is understood to have told shadow cabinet ministers there would be further consultation with unions and a decision on the next step in the coming weeks, to the frustration of several present including the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell. |
| Sources in the room said McDonnell had said he was “under the impression we were making the decision today” on how to advance Labour’s position. The shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, also questioned why a decision was not being taken and said it was “about showing leadership”. | Sources in the room said McDonnell had said he was “under the impression we were making the decision today” on how to advance Labour’s position. The shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, also questioned why a decision was not being taken and said it was “about showing leadership”. |
| Labour can’t afford to lose its working-class heartlands by backing remain | Jon Cruddas | Labour can’t afford to lose its working-class heartlands by backing remain | Jon Cruddas |
| Several shadow cabinet members emerged from a meeting last week believing the party would agree a new strategy on Tuesday after Corbyn had consulted union leaders. | Several shadow cabinet members emerged from a meeting last week believing the party would agree a new strategy on Tuesday after Corbyn had consulted union leaders. |
| “Basically, Unite stepped in yesterday and put the brakes on,” one shadow cabinet source said. McDonnell “is obviously trying to push us forward but Loto [the leader’s team] are pushing back.” | “Basically, Unite stepped in yesterday and put the brakes on,” one shadow cabinet source said. McDonnell “is obviously trying to push us forward but Loto [the leader’s team] are pushing back.” |
| Speaking at a car industry conference on Tuesday, McDonnell was asked directly if the Labour party was campaigning for a second referendum. “Well, I’m arguing the case … The discussion we are having in the Labour party now, and it is no secret, is what would our attitude be if there is a referendum? | Speaking at a car industry conference on Tuesday, McDonnell was asked directly if the Labour party was campaigning for a second referendum. “Well, I’m arguing the case … The discussion we are having in the Labour party now, and it is no secret, is what would our attitude be if there is a referendum? |
| “I’ve said personally I’d vote for remain. I campaigned for remain because I can’t see anything better than what we have got at the moment. I can see the consequences in terms of jobs and living standards.” | “I’ve said personally I’d vote for remain. I campaigned for remain because I can’t see anything better than what we have got at the moment. I can see the consequences in terms of jobs and living standards.” |
| McDonnell said the party’s policy would “evolve over the next week or so because there are more party consultations”. | McDonnell said the party’s policy would “evolve over the next week or so because there are more party consultations”. |
| Phil Wilson, a backer of the People’s Vote campaign who has co-led attempts in parliament to put any Brexit deal to a referendum, said the delay was damaging the party. | Phil Wilson, a backer of the People’s Vote campaign who has co-led attempts in parliament to put any Brexit deal to a referendum, said the delay was damaging the party. |
| “Labour members and Labour MPs expect our party to have a clear policy that reflects our values,” he said. “Instead, we have to listen to muddle, confusion and the sound of the can being kicked listlessly down a never-ending road. The longer this dithering goes on, the more damage will be done to our party.” | “Labour members and Labour MPs expect our party to have a clear policy that reflects our values,” he said. “Instead, we have to listen to muddle, confusion and the sound of the can being kicked listlessly down a never-ending road. The longer this dithering goes on, the more damage will be done to our party.” |
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