Britain's opposition Labour sticks to second Brexit referendum stance

By Elizabeth Piper

 

Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray demonstrates outside Labour Party's headquarters, as they hold their National Executive Committee meeting, in London, Britain April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's opposition Labour Party resisted calls to unconditionally embrace a second referendum on Tuesday, restating its support for such a vote only if the government refuses to change its EU deal or there is no new election.

 

With Britain's delayed departure from the European Union far from clear, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been under pressure from lawmakers and party members to throw his support behind a second referendum, or confirmatory vote, on any Brexit deal.

 

But the veteran Socialist, a long-time eurosceptic, has stuck firmly to his position that a second vote was an option to prevent what Labour calls a "damaging" Conservative Brexit or to stop Britain leaving without a deal.

 

The move could further infuriate Labour lawmakers, including deputy leader Tom Watson, who have pushed for an unconditional commitment on a second referendum.

 

The rift has spurred eight Labour politicians to form a new party called Change UK.

 

After a meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee, its governing body, a party source said an agreement had been reached which "will be fully in line with Labour's existing policy".

 

That policy is "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."

 

Nearly three years after Britons voted to leave the EU by 52 to 48 percent, the main parties, and the country, are deeply divided over Brexit, leaving it unclear when, and even if, Britain will leave the bloc.

 

The deal that Prime Minister Theresa May agreed with the EU has been rejected three times by parliament, forcing the Conservative leader to open talks with Labour to try to find common ground and win approval to avoid taking part in the European elections.

 

After nearly four weeks, Labour sources said Monday's talks with the government were better in tone than before and ministers had shown some willingness to move, declining to offer specifics.

 

But with a new Brexit deadline set for Oct. 31, parties are readying themselves for the May 23 European Parliament elections, offering those wanting to remain in the EU and others supporting a clean break another potential battleground.

 

Corbyn has tried to keep his party united by treading a fine line on his position on a second referendum, which is set to become one of the main issues in the European elections with smaller parties keen to publicise their backing of a new vote.

 

"Labour is the only party which represents both people who supported Leave and Remain," a party spokesman said. "We are working to bring the country together after the chaos and crisis created by the Tories (Conservatives)."

 

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-05-01

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I think it's interesting to observe Corbyn's behavior. He has lots of people in "his" party who want a second referendum. And he has lots of people who don't want it.

A couple of days ago when asked about how he would decide he said he is no dictator. The members of his party will decide. And they did. I guess that is democracy at work even when many on both sides won't be happy with it.

 

Another interesting part, not only for labor, are how people insist that everybody wants A or B. It seems for many of us if we talk to 10 people and maybe read the media we chose then we all get the impression "everybody" thinks just like us. Except of course those people in the other groups who read the other media...

14 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I guess that is democracy at work even when many on both sides won't be happy with it.

Democracy at work is when you accept the result of a popular vote. And I say this without being pro or anti Brexit, I just wish it's over and done with it.

Brextoff with it all, and a new off word that escapes DELETED.

They will back a third and fourth referendum and so on until they get a result they’re happy with. 

More aimed at getting into power than respecting democracy.

16 minutes ago, twocatsmac said:

They will back a third and fourth referendum and so on until they get a result they’re happy with. 

More aimed at getting into power than respecting democracy.

The word democracy has been flogged to death, it's like Atlantis, did it ever exist or is it a story. What we have really ever had are the country's institutions accepting the results of the horse trading that goes on in Westminster. It's called democracy because you can choose your horse trader after that they can do more or less what they want.

NO DEAL is the Answer..easy peasy

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2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think it's interesting to observe Corbyn's behavior. He has lots of people in "his" party who want a second referendum. And he has lots of people who don't want it.

A couple of days ago when asked about how he would decide he said he is no dictator. The members of his party will decide. And they did. I guess that is democracy at work even when many on both sides won't be happy with it.

 

Another interesting part, not only for labor, are how people insist that everybody wants A or B. It seems for many of us if we talk to 10 people and maybe read the media we chose then we all get the impression "everybody" thinks just like us. Except of course those people in the other groups who read the other media...

"lots of people"? Define lots. Or instead, how about percentages? What percent of labor voters support a 2nd referendum and what percentage are against it? Are those 2 numbers even close?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

That policy is "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."

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

"Labour is the only party which represents both people who supported Leave and Remain," a party spokesman said. "We are working to bring the country together after the chaos and crisis created by the Tories (Conservatives)."

It's very clear from the LAB votes over the past months that the LAB plan is to try any force a situation whereby they can force a GE, or anyway at all of gaining power in the HOC. 

LAB MPs represent neither Leave nor Remain supporters. They only represent their party and use the whole Brexit mess to work against CON and the public. Where are the LAB rebels in any of the Brexit votes - the ones who represent their Leave constituencies in the Midland and North? None of them to be found, except for Kate Hoey, Dennis Skinner and Graham Stringer, there are very few who represent Labour Leave voters.  

3 hours ago, twocatsmac said:

They will back a third and fourth referendum and so on until they get a result they’re happy with. 

More aimed at getting into power than respecting democracy.

democracy has failed

What's the betting we arrive at 31 October in exactly the same position we were in on 29 March ie no progress whatsoever ?

NO DEAL is the way to go..wait and see what happens to evita aka terresa the appeasa after the council elections..I do not think her feet will touch the ground as she exits No10 via the back door.
Boris..D Davis..JRM..take your pick as interim PM

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11 minutes ago, malagateddy said:

NO DEAL is the way to go..wait and see what happens to evita aka terresa the appeasa after the council elections..I do not think her feet will touch the ground as she exits No10 via the back door.
Boris..D Davis..JRM..take your pick as interim PM

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Steady on Teddy, you are recommending people who are doing their best to avoid any responsibility at all for the mess they  helped create. 

 

 

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think it's interesting to observe Corbyn's behavior. He has lots of people in "his" party who want a second referendum. And he has lots of people who don't want it.

A couple of days ago when asked about how he would decide he said he is no dictator. The members of his party will decide. And they did. I guess that is democracy at work even when many on both sides won't be happy with it.

 

Another interesting part, not only for labor, are how people insist that everybody wants A or B. It seems for many of us if we talk to 10 people and maybe read the media we chose then we all get the impression "everybody" thinks just like us. Except of course those people in the other groups who read the other media...

 

Not quite democracy. The National Executive Committee of the Labor Party, which fully backs Corbyn, decided on this. It wasn't put to partly members as you claim.

 

They are still playing politics. Trying to be all to everyone to win votes. A soft Brexit, which they'll claim they came up with not the government; or a GE in which they hope to do better and maybe even return to government although lord knows what they'd do to get a coalition; or as a last resort go for a second referendum and play the "let the people decide" card.

 

Hardly decisive leadership putting the country first!

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I think it's interesting to observe Corbyn's behavior. He has lots of people in "his" party who want a second referendum. And he has lots of people who don't want it.

A couple of days ago when asked about how he would decide he said he is no dictator. The members of his party will decide. And they did. I guess that is democracy at work even when many on both sides won't be happy with it.

 

Another interesting part, not only for labor, are how people insist that everybody wants A or B. It seems for many of us if we talk to 10 people and maybe read the media we chose then we all get the impression "everybody" thinks just like us. Except of course those people in the other groups who read the other media...

He's a coward who doesn't want to shoulder the responsibility for making a decision which he knows could destroy Labour's electoral base. 

 

Can you imagine a gutless wonder like this running the country?

2 hours ago, wombat said:

democracy has failed

 

The first lie was the biggie. Cameron knew he was lying, promising something he didn't have the authority to decide or implement. Slippery slope thereafter!

Just more smoke and mirrors to deceive the lesser intelligent voters 

 

 

Quote

 

Brexit: Labour supports a referendum with caveats

Labour's governing body has agreed to support a further referendum on Brexit under certain circumstances.

The National Executive Committee met to decide the wording of its manifesto for May's European elections.

It rejected the idea of campaigning for a referendum under all circumstances - as supported by deputy leader Tom Watson and many ordinary members.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48099901

 

 

5 hours ago, malagateddy said:

NO DEAL is the Answer..easy peasy

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This is easy for the retarded far right racists and rich conservatives . Its the ordinary bloke who would suffer from that madness .2 nd referendum now people can see what lies were told before the 1st one . Watch out for the neo nazis like BF and Farage !

Steady on Teddy, you are recommending people who are doing their best to avoid any responsibility at all for the mess they  helped create. 
 
 

The mess as you call it has been caused by evita and her merry band of remoaners.

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He's a coward who doesn't want to shoulder the responsibility for making a decision which he knows could destroy Labour's electoral base. 
 
Can you imagine a gutless wonder like this running the country?

Please see the photo below

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This is easy for the retarded far right racists and rich conservatives . Its the ordinary bloke who would suffer from that madness .2 nd referendum now people can see what lies were told before the 1st one . Watch out for the neo nazis like BF and Farage !

1..
17.4 million people are not " retards or racists ".

1..
BF..what do you mean??

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It's funny to see this Mickey Mouse country with Kindergarten politicians going straight forward the way down. 

I reckon there is a strong connection between Thailand and UK in dealing with people and democracy. 

Both they have their Royals and a PM not knowing what to do. 

 

55 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Not quite democracy. The National Executive Committee of the Labor Party, which fully backs Corbyn, decided on this. It wasn't put to partly members as you claim.

 

They are still playing politics. Trying to be all to everyone to win votes. A soft Brexit, which they'll claim they came up with not the government; or a GE in which they hope to do better and maybe even return to government although lord knows what they'd do to get a coalition; or as a last resort go for a second referendum and play the "let the people decide" card.

 

Hardly decisive leadership putting the country first!

I agree with you, especially your last sentence.

But it seems there are still many millions of people in the UK who dream about unicorns.

If labor would speak out clearly against the Brexiters then I guess they would lose a lot of voters.

And a party needs voters...

I have a strong opinion about Brexit and I know what I think Labor should do. But there are other people who think the exact opposite. It must be hard for a politician to make a decision with which you will anger lots to people who used to vote for you.

If you're not going to honour a referendum, why call for a referendum? 

2 hours ago, malagateddy said:

NO DEAL is the way to go..wait and see what happens to evita aka terresa the appeasa after the council elections..I do not think her feet will touch the ground as she exits No10 via the back door.
Boris..D Davis..JRM..take your pick as interim PM

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Council elections mean very little in the bigger picture,low turn outs with petty local issues often being fought.

2 hours ago, malagateddy said:

NO DEAL is the way to go..wait and see what happens to evita aka terresa the appeasa after the council elections..I do not think her feet will touch the ground as she exits No10 via the back door.
Boris..D Davis..JRM..take your pick as interim PM

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Council elections mean very little in the bigger picture,low turn outs with petty local issues often being fought.

9 hours ago, arithai12 said:

Democracy at work is when you accept the result of a popular vote. And I say this without being pro or anti Brexit, I just wish it's over and done with it.

The British voted for 51,88 % for a "leave", ( under which conditions ? ? hard brexit, or... Norwegian style, or... ) and 48,11 % for remain ( as it is, no change, nothing. The brexiteers want to forget this huge minority, call that "Pure democraticy").  Many now, knowing what all will change, feel themselves swindled, betrayed, and lied to, therefore, without even the Brexit happened yet, only a 34 % seem to be left for a Brext ( whatever style). see 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/27/public-thinks-eu-referendum-was-a-bad-idea-says-poll?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX0d1YXJkaWFuVG9kYXlVS19XZWVrZW5kLTE5MDQyOA%3D%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUK&CMP=GTUK_email

 

Time to let the British vote for the CONSEQUENCES of their votes.

And for ME... we had to stick to Charles de Gaulle: never let the British into the EU. We would have now a much more federated state. 

2 hours ago, Scutty said:

This is easy for the retarded far right racists and rich conservatives . Its the ordinary bloke who would suffer from that madness .2 nd referendum now people can see what lies were told before the 1st one . Watch out for the neo nazis like BF and Farage !

You wouldnt be talking about JRM and Boris by any chance would you

Council elections mean very little in the bigger picture,low turn outs with petty local issues often being fought.

1922 team will be watching carefully..knives being sharpened as we speak I think

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It's funny to see this Mickey Mouse country with Kindergarten politicians going straight forward the way down. 
I reckon there is a strong connection between Thailand and UK in dealing with people and democracy. 
Both they have their Royals and a PM not knowing what to do. 
 

At least the UK is NOT a subsidy junkie eu member state

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