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Jeremy Corbyn faces battle with Labour members over Brexit policy Labour: Jeremy Corbyn faces battle with members over Brexit policy
(about 2 hours later)
Jeremy Corbyn faces a battle over Labour's Brexit policy later as members choose between two competing strategies at the party's annual conference.Jeremy Corbyn faces a battle over Labour's Brexit policy later as members choose between two competing strategies at the party's annual conference.
Delegates are to decide whether the party should explicitly back Remain in a future public vote, or adopt the leadership's neutral position. They will decide whether Labour should explicitly back Remain in any future referendum, or adopt Mr Corbyn's stance of staying neutral until a later date.
Labour's stance on Brexit has dominated the conference agenda, with many in the party disagreeing over the issue. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said people had "high emotions", but it was a "logical process" to follow - although he said he would back Remain.
It is expected that two motions on the issue will be put to a vote on Monday. Members will vote on the motions later.
The party's draft plan for its Brexit policy, put forward by Mr Corbyn, suggests that, if Labour wins power in a general election, it would remain neutral while negotiating a new Brexit deal within three months. Labour's stance on Brexit has dominated the conference agenda, with huge disagreements over the issue.
It would then hold a referendum within six months, and the party would decide which side to back at a special conference. The party's draft plan for its Brexit policy, put forward by Mr Corbyn, suggests that, if Labour wins power in a general election, it would remain neutral while negotiating a new deal with the EU within three months.
It would then hold a referendum within six months, and the party would decide which side to back ahead of that at a special conference.
But grassroots activists at the conference have campaigned for an unambiguous Remain stance.But grassroots activists at the conference have campaigned for an unambiguous Remain stance.
It comes amid calls for the party to back remaining in the European Union, including by a number of Labour MPs such as shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry.
Late on Sunday, attempts to find a consensus during a behind-closed-doors "compositing" meeting failed to agree on words for a single Brexit motion.Late on Sunday, attempts to find a consensus during a behind-closed-doors "compositing" meeting failed to agree on words for a single Brexit motion.
As a result, members will debate two separate motions on Monday. One would commit the party to campaigning "energetically" to remain in the EU during an expected snap election. As a result, members will debate, then vote, on two separate motions on Monday.
The other - closer to Mr Corbyn's position - would see the party remaining officially neutral and only taking sides ahead of a subsequent referendum. The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson said the Remain position "will almost certainly need some trade union support to pass".
A statement by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) said the party should only decide how to campaign in a referendum at a special conference held after a general election. Unions control half of the votes at the Labour conference.
The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson said the Remain position "will almost certainly need some trade union support to pass". Unions control half of the votes at the Labour conference. 'High emotions'
'A step forward' Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr McDonnell said he would support Remain in any future vote as he thought it was the "best option", but he believed other members should be allowed to "exercise their own judgement".
He added: "This is an honest, democratic debate and that is what our party is about - making sure that people can express their views democratically and be honest about their assessments.
"People have high emotions on this because they feel it is important, but people are respecting each others views as well.
"Do not mistake democracy for division. It isn't. What we are seeing is an honest debate."
Other senior figures in Labour like shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer and shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry - due to address delegates on Monday - also support a full-throated Remain stance.
Hilary Benn, Labour MP and chair of the Commons Brexit committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Labour's position of a second referendum was "sensible" and the "the only way out of the deadlock we are facing".Hilary Benn, Labour MP and chair of the Commons Brexit committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Labour's position of a second referendum was "sensible" and the "the only way out of the deadlock we are facing".
He denied that if the party votes to campaign to remain in the EU, it would undermine Mr Corbyn. But he said it was clear the bulk of the party - and the shadow cabinet - had already confirmed they would back Remain.
He said the Labour leader said he would respect decisions taken at the conference, adding: "He's a democrat." It is going to be a very bumpy day. This afternoon the Labour Party, in all its glory, will debate the two positions of Leave and Remain.
One motion is overtly, full-throated, "Labour must campaign now to stay in the European Union."
The other, the leadership position that was agreed in a small meeting with the unions some weeks ago, is to wait and see.
Now, of course, there is a logic in that position, trying to straddle both sides of the debate and trying to have an offer for people who voted for Brexit.
But there is such frustration about that here at conference - you can hear it boiling over in the bars and in every single fringe event.
The reason why it matters is not just that Labour has found it hard making its mind up about Brexit, but also we might be just a couple of months from a general election.
Labour is being radical this week, putting forward lots of ideas like free personal care, making it easier for people to buy electric cars and abolishing prescription charges.
But while people here are arguing about Brexit, the idea that comes from the conference to the country is about a party at odds with itself, fighting against itself, not a government in waiting.
Andrew Lewin, of Remain Labour, said the prospect of alternatives being put to a vote was "a huge step forward".Andrew Lewin, of Remain Labour, said the prospect of alternatives being put to a vote was "a huge step forward".
"Labour members will tomorrow have the chance to change party policy - so Labour commits to campaign to Remain in all circumstances," he said. "Labour members will have the chance to change party policy - so Labour commits to campaign to Remain in all circumstances," he said.
Michael Chessum, of left-leaning group Another Europe, told the BBC that Monday's vote was not just about Brexit.Michael Chessum, of left-leaning group Another Europe, told the BBC that Monday's vote was not just about Brexit.
"It's about where Mr Corbyn and the unions are really willing to listen to party members," he said."It's about where Mr Corbyn and the unions are really willing to listen to party members," he said.
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show on Sunday, Mr Corbyn would not be drawn on which side he would back, saying "let's see" what kind of new deal he was able to negotiate with the EU.Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr show on Sunday, Mr Corbyn would not be drawn on which side he would back, saying "let's see" what kind of new deal he was able to negotiate with the EU.
He said the party must respect the result of the Brexit referendum and do more to understand why people voted to leave.He said the party must respect the result of the Brexit referendum and do more to understand why people voted to leave.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Thornberry - who both support Remain - are due to speak at the conference on Monday afternoon. Away from Brexit, Labour has announced a pledge to introduce free personal care in England for over-65s most in need of it, so they will not have to pay for help with dressing, washing and meals.
Labour will also announce a pledge to introduce free personal care in England for over-65s most in need of it, so they will not have to pay for help with dressing, washing and meals.
At the moment, those with savings of more than £14,250 have to contribute to the cost of home or residential help.At the moment, those with savings of more than £14,250 have to contribute to the cost of home or residential help.
It is the latest of several new policies announced at the conference, including pledges to:It is the latest of several new policies announced at the conference, including pledges to:
On Sunday, party members also voted in favour of integrating private schools into the state sector.On Sunday, party members also voted in favour of integrating private schools into the state sector.
Independent schools would have their charitable status withdrawn, as well as other public subsidies and tax privileges, and universities would have to admit the same proportion of private school students as in the wider population, currently 7%.Independent schools would have their charitable status withdrawn, as well as other public subsidies and tax privileges, and universities would have to admit the same proportion of private school students as in the wider population, currently 7%.
The vote means members have signalled a desire for the policy to be included in Labour's next general election manifesto.The vote means members have signalled a desire for the policy to be included in Labour's next general election manifesto.
The start of the conference, on Saturday, was overshadowed by a failed attempt to oust deputy leader Tom Watson.The start of the conference, on Saturday, was overshadowed by a failed attempt to oust deputy leader Tom Watson.
Mr Watson later said he was disappointed by the move but called for unity.Mr Watson later said he was disappointed by the move but called for unity.
And on Sunday, one of Mr Corbyn's senior aides, Andrew Fisher, announced his intention to resign as head of policy.And on Sunday, one of Mr Corbyn's senior aides, Andrew Fisher, announced his intention to resign as head of policy.
Mr Corbyn confirmed that Mr Fisher was leaving, saying it was a "very stressful and full-on job".Mr Corbyn confirmed that Mr Fisher was leaving, saying it was a "very stressful and full-on job".